India stormed into the gold medal match of the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket event with a commanding 124-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second semi-final at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Thursday, October 1.
After being asked to bat first, India posted a formidable 169/7 on a turning surface, with Ishan Kishan producing a match-winning unbeaten 80 off 46 balls. Sri Lanka’s chase never got going as the Indian attack ripped through their batting line-up, dismissing them for just 45.
India suffered an early setback after Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson were both dismissed for seven, leaving the side at 24/2. However, teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi steadied the innings and injected much-needed momentum.
Making his return to the T20I side after missing the entire preceding series against Afghanistan, Sooryavanshi smashed 38 off just 21 deliveries, striking six boundaries and two sixes before falling to Sahan Arachchige. Captain Shreyas Iyer added a run-a-ball 13, while Kishan held the innings together from the other end.
Kishan then shifted gears during the latter stages of the innings, taking on the Sri Lankan bowlers despite the challenging spin-friendly conditions. The left-hander remained unbeaten on 80, hammering five sixes and four boundaries to propel India to a daunting 169/7.
Sri Lanka’s response was short-lived. India’s bowlers exploited the conditions brilliantly and dismantled the Sri Lankan batting order for just 45, completing a massive 124-run victory.
The emphatic win sends India into the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket gold medal match, with Kishan’s unbeaten knock and Sooryavanshi’s aggressive contribution proving decisive in the semi-final.