India thrash Sri Lanka to set up Asian Games cricket final against Pakistan
India defeated Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the men’s cricket semifinal at the Asian Games, bowling them out for 45 in 9.5 overs. Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 70 helped India post 169-7, while Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel led a dominant bowling and fielding display.
India reached the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games with a 124-run victory over Sri Lanka, setting up a gold-medal clash with Pakistan. India posted 169 for seven at the Korogi Sports Club in Nisshin before dismissing Sri Lanka for 45 in 9.5 overs. Pakistan had earlier defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in the other semifinal.
India’s innings began unevenly on a pitch offering substantial turn. Abhishek Sharma fell for seven and Sanju Samson was bowled for seven before Vaibhav Sooryavanshi counter-attacked with 38 from 21 balls. His innings contained six fours and two sixes, but ended when he edged Sahan Arachchige to short third.
Ishan Kishan then anchored the innings as wickets continued to fall. Shreyas Iyer made 13, Axar Patel eight, Tilak Varma two, Washington Sundar eight and Shivam Dube three. Kishan remained unbeaten on 70 from 42 balls, hitting four fours and four sixes, and India reached a defendable total despite the difficult surface.
Sri Lanka’s chase collapsed immediately. Jasprit Bumrah removed Sineth Jayawardena and Sohan de Livera for ducks in the opening over, leaving Sri Lanka two wickets down for one run. Axar Patel intensified the pressure by dismissing Sahan Arachchige and Ashen Bandara, while Lasith Croospulle was run out without facing a ball.
Nuwanidu Fernando briefly threatened to revive the innings with two sixes, but was run out for 15. Another run-out removed Tharindu Ratnayake for five. Sri Lanka were 33 for six by the end of the powerplay.
Washington Sundar dismissed Wanuja Sahan, and Abhishek Sharma completed the rout by removing Chamika Karunaratne and Binura Fernando in his final over. The result gave India a chance to defend the gold medal won by the women’s team in the previous month.
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