India defeated Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the men’s cricket semifinal at the Asian Games 2026, booking a place in the gold medal match. After posting 169/7, India bowled Sri Lanka out for just 45 in 9.5 overs.
India will now face Pakistan in the gold medal match on October 3. Pakistan secured its place in the final after defeating Bangladesh in the first semifinal.
India Beat Sri Lanka by 124 Runs
After losing the toss, India batted first and scored 169/7 in 20 overs.
Ishan Kishan led the innings with an unbeaten 80 off 46 balls, hitting four fours and five sixes. Vaibhav Suryavanshi also made an impact, scoring 38 off 21 balls with six fours and two sixes.
Captain Shreyas Iyer scored 13, while Washington Sundar remained unbeaten on seven. Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube failed to make significant contributions.
For Sri Lanka, Tharindu Ratnayake and captain Sahan Arachchige picked up two wickets each.
Sri Lanka All Out for 45
Sri Lanka struggled from the start while chasing 170. Six of their batters failed to open their accounts, while only Nuwanidu Fernando crossed double figures with 15 runs.
Captain Sahan Arachchige scored nine, while Chamika Karunaratne made four. Vanuka Sahabandu scored one and Tharindu Ratnayake added five.
India’s Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Abhishek Sharma claimed two wickets each, while Washington Sundar took one. Three Sri Lankan batters were run out.
Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 45 in just 9.5 overs, giving India a 124-run victory.
India Record Biggest Win Over Sri Lanka
The 124-run victory marked India’s biggest win over Sri Lanka by runs in this format at the Asian Games. India’s previous biggest victory against Sri Lanka had come in 2017, when they won by 93 runs in Cuttack.
India are now one victory away from another men’s cricket gold medal. They won gold at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou under Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Pakistan Beat Bangladesh to Reach Final
Pakistan reached the final after beating Bangladesh in the other semifinal.
Rain reduced the match to 13 overs per side. Bangladesh scored 111/7 after batting first, setting Pakistan a target of 112.
Pakistan chased down the target in 11.3 overs. Hasan Nawaz scored an unbeaten 27 off 22 balls, while Abdul Samad remained unbeaten on 30 off 15 balls.
The pair added an unbeaten 59-run partnership from 32 balls to seal Pakistan’s place in the gold medal match.
India vs Pakistan Gold Medal Match
India and Pakistan will now meet for the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket gold medal on October 3.
India enter the final after their commanding semifinal victory over Sri Lanka, while Pakistan advanced after defeating Bangladesh in a rain-shortened contest.
5 Key Takeaways
- India defeated Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the semifinal.
- India scored 169/7, with Ishan Kishan making an unbeaten 80.
- Sri Lanka were bowled out for 45 in 9.5 overs.
- Pakistan defeated Bangladesh to reach the gold medal match.
- India vs Pakistan will decide the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket gold medal on October 3.
