Asian Games 2026: India Crush Sri Lanka by 124 Runs, Set Up Gold-Medal Clash With Pakistan
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Shreyas Iyer’s India stormed into the Asian Games men’s T20 cricket final after crushing Sri Lanka by 124 runs at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Thursday.
India scored 169 runs on a tricky surface before Jasprit Bumrah and the spinners tore through Sri Lanka’s batting line-up, bowling them out for just 45.
The win set up a blockbuster gold-medal clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday, while Sri Lanka will face Bangladesh in the bronze-medal match.
Kishan anchors India’s 169
After Sri Lanka chose to bowl, India suffered early setbacks with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson dismissed scoring 7-7 runs.
Teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, returning to the side after India’s quarter-final against Japan was washed out, counter-attacked with 39 off 21 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes.
Ishan Kishan then took control of the innings, negotiating variable bounce and Sri Lanka’s spinners before opening up towards the end.
The left-hander remained unbeaten on 80 off 46 balls, striking four fours and five sixes. That innings made India to reached 169 with losing 7 wickets.
Bumrah sparks Sri Lanka collapse
Sri Lanka’s chase lasted barely a few overs.
Bumrah struck twice in the first over to leave Sri Lanka reeling, setting the tone for one of India’s most dominant bowling displays of the tournament.
Axar Patel and Abhishek Sharma claimed two wickets each, while Washington Sundar took one. Three further Sri Lankan batters were run out as the innings unravelled.
Five Sri Lankan batters were dismissed for ducks, while only one batter managed to reach 15. Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 45 before the halfway stage of the chase.
The total was described as the lowest-ever T20I score by a full-member nation.
India vs Pakistan final confirmed
Pakistan secured their place in the final earlier in the day after beating Bangladesh in a rain-affected semi-final.
Bangladesh scored 111 for seven in a match reduced to 13 overs, but Pakistan chased down the target in 11.3 overs, winning by six wickets.
India will now meet Pakistan for the men’s T20 gold medal on Sunday.
India are also seeking to retain the men’s cricket gold won at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. The Indian women’s team had won gold in both the Hangzhou and 2026 editions, defeating Sri Lanka in the final on each occasion.
