India crush Sri Lanka by 124 runs to reach Asian Games men’s cricket final vs Pakistan

India stormed into the Asian Games men’s cricket final on Thursday, 1 October, after a commanding 124-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second semi-final at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan.

India first posted 169/7 in their 20 overs before producing a stunning bowling display that bowled Sri Lanka out for just 45 in 9.5 overs. The emphatic win sends India into Saturday’s gold medal match against Pakistan at the same venue.

Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to field, hoping to put early pressure on India. India did lose wickets during the middle overs, but a strong finish ensured they reached a competitive total.

Ishan Kishan led the way with a brilliant unbeaten 80 from 46 balls. The left-hander combined patience with aggressive stroke play, hitting four fours and five sixes while carrying his bat through the innings.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provided another major boost, scoring 38 from just 21 deliveries. His innings included six fours and two sixes and helped India accelerate during the crucial middle and final stages of the innings.

India finished on 169/7, giving their bowlers a solid platform to defend.

Sri Lanka's chase, however, quickly turned into a collapse.

Jasprit Bumrah made an immediate impact, dismissing Sineth Jayawardena for a duck before later removing Sohan de Livera, also without scoring. The early wickets put Sri Lanka under severe pressure, and they struggled to build any meaningful partnership.

India continued to attack from both ends, with the bowlers keeping the pressure on throughout the innings. Abhishek Sharma claimed two wickets while conceding only two runs, while Axar Patel also took two wickets as India's bowling attack dismantled the Sri Lankan batting order.

Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for just 45 in 9.5 overs, giving India a massive 124-run victory.

The result was particularly emphatic because Sri Lanka never managed to establish any momentum in the chase. India's bowlers kept taking wickets at regular intervals, leaving the opposition with no opportunity to recover.

India set up final against Pakistan

India's victory sets up a highly anticipated gold medal clash against Pakistan on Saturday, 3 October.

Pakistan had already secured their place in the final earlier on Thursday after defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in the first semi-final. Bangladesh scored 111/7 before Pakistan chased down the target with 112/4 in 11.3 overs in a rain-shortened 13-over match.

The final will therefore see India and Pakistan meet with the Asian Games gold medal at stake at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will contest the bronze medal match on Saturday.

India finally gets a full contest after rain disruption

India's route to the semi-final had been affected by the weather. Their quarter-final earlier in the tournament was abandoned without a ball being bowled after heavy rain prevented play.

Sri Lanka also reached the semi-finals after their quarter-final was washed out. Both teams therefore entered Thursday's match without having played a complete quarter-final.

The semi-final against Sri Lanka was a completely different story. India had to bat and bowl under match conditions, and both departments delivered strongly.

Kishan's unbeaten 80 provided the foundation with the bat, while Sooryavanshi's aggressive contribution helped India push towards a strong total. The bowling attack then took complete control, restricting Sri Lanka to 45.

Gold medal now within reach

India's 124-run victory puts them one match away from an Asian Games gold medal.

The final against Pakistan on Saturday will bring together two of the tournament's strongest cricket sides in what promises to be one of the most closely watched matches of the Games.

For India, the challenge now shifts from securing a place in the final to finishing the campaign with gold.

After a dominant semi-final performance, India head into the final with their sights firmly set on the top step of the podium.