India stormed into the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket gold-medal match with a crushing 124-run victory over Sri Lanka in the semi-final at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, on Thursday.
Shreyas Iyer’s side posted 169 for 7 and then skittled Sri Lanka for 45 in just 9.5 overs, booking a Saturday final against Pakistan.
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl on a surface that offered grip. Early wickets left India wobbling, but Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 80 off 46 balls, laced with sixes straight down the ground, rescued the innings. Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added a brisk 38 off 21, giving the total real substance after a modest start. Captain Iyer contributed 13 before the lower order nudged the score to 169 for 7.
The chase never gathered momentum. India’s attack, featuring Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel in the powerplay, kept striking. Sri Lanka’s batting folded under relentless pressure, with wickets falling at regular intervals until Abhishek Sharma bowled the last man to seal the result. The 124-run margin underlined complete dominance after both teams had reached the last four via washouts in the quarter-finals.
Pakistan had earlier beaten Bangladesh to reach the final, setting up the India-Pakistan gold-medal clash that fans had hoped for. India, defending champions from the previous Asian Games, now face their fiercest rivals with a chance to retain the title. The women’s team had already secured gold earlier in the Games by thrashing Sri Lanka, adding extra incentive for the men.
The final is scheduled for Saturday in Nisshin.
