India has qualified for the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final after a 124-run victory over Sri Lanka in Nisshin, Japan. The result sets up a gold-medal match against Pakistan, who defeated Bangladesh in the first semi-final earlier on Thursday.
India posted a total of 169/7, led by an unbeaten 80 from Ishan Kishan. Facing 46 balls, Kishan hit four boundaries and five sixes on a surface that offered grip and turn. The innings began with an explosive start from 15-year-old opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who scored 38 runs off 21 balls, including six fours and two sixes. Sooryavanshi recently gained attention as the only Indian athlete included in the TIME 100 Next list.
Sri Lanka’s response collapsed as they were bowled out for 45 runs in 9.5 overs. This total marks Sri Lanka’s lowest-ever T20I score and is the joint-lowest by any Full Member nation. The innings included five ducks, equalling the joint-second highest number of ducks in a T20I innings. India’s bowling unit, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel, was clinical in restricting the opposition on the tricky Nisshin pitch. Analysis shows that the 124-run victory is the largest ever recorded in the knockout stages of a men’s T20I tournament involving two Full Member sides.
Pakistan reached the final earlier the same day by defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-reduced 13-over match. The upcoming gold-medal clash on Saturday, October 3, will be the first time the two rivals meet for the title in Asian Games history.
According to tournament regulations for 2026, both finalists will share the gold medal if the final is washed out. This marks a change from the 2022 edition, where India was awarded gold based on higher seeding following a rain-affected final. Analysis suggests India enters the final as favorites following their T20 World Cup 2026 victory earlier this year.
The gold-medal final is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM IST on Saturday at the Korogi Athletic Park.
