India reached the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games with a commanding 124-run victory over Sri Lanka at the Karogi Sports Park on Thursday.
After posting 169/7, India’s bowlers dismantled Sri Lanka for just 45 runs in 9.5 overs. India will now face Pakistan in the gold-medal clash after Pakistan defeated Bangladesh in the other semifinal.
Sent in to bat, India posted 169/7 in 20 overs on a challenging pitch.
Ishan Kishan played the key innings, remaining unbeaten on 80 from 46 balls. He struck five sixes and four boundaries to guide India to a competitive total.
Opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi contributed 38 runs, while Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson were dismissed for seven each. Captain Shreyas Iyer made 13 before being dismissed by Wanuja Sahan.
Sri Lanka’s chase collapsed almost immediately.
Jasprit Bumrah struck twice in his opening over, dismissing Sineth Jayawardena and Sohan de Livera without scoring.
Ravi Bishnoi then produced a sharp throw to run out Lasith Croospulle, leaving Sri Lanka at 2-3 after seven deliveries.
India continued to dominate as Axar Patel claimed two wickets in the fourth over, reducing Sri Lanka to 18/5.
Axar and Sanju Samson combined for the run-out of Nuwanidu Fernando, while Washington Sundar dismissed Wanuja Sahan.
Abhishek Sharma was then introduced into the attack and immediately made an impact, taking two wickets in two balls. Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 45 in 9.5 overs.
Nuwanidu Fernando was the only Sri Lankan batter to reach double figures, scoring 15.
The victory takes India into the Asian Games men’s cricket final, where the defending champions will meet Pakistan for the gold medal.
India’s bowling figures were led by Abhishek Sharma, Bumrah and Axar Patel, who each took two wickets.
