Punjab Newsline | New Delhi

India booked their place in the men’s cricket final at the 2026 Asian Games with a commanding 124-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second semifinal at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan, on Thursday. The result sets up a potential India-Pakistan gold-medal clash in the final.

Batting first after being asked to set a target, India posted 169/7 in 20 overs. Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan anchored the innings with a superb unbeaten 80 off 46 balls, including four boundaries and five sixes. His knock proved crucial after India lost wickets at regular intervals.

Young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provided India with a brisk start, scoring 38 runs off 21 balls at a strike rate of more than 180. His aggressive innings helped India recover momentum during the powerplay.

However, several of India's established batters struggled to convert their starts. Abhishek Sharma scored 7, Sanju Samson 7, captain Shreyas Iyer 13 and Tilak Varma 2, while Axar Patel and Shivam Dube also made single-digit contributions.

Kishan then took charge of the innings and ensured India finished strongly, taking the total to 169/7 and setting Sri Lanka a target of 170.

Sri Lanka collapse in the chase

Sri Lanka's chase never got going as India's bowling attack dismantled their batting lineup. The Sri Lankan side was bowled out for just 45 runs, handing India a massive 124-run victory.

Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel took two wickets each, while the rest of India's attack also kept the pressure on Sri Lanka throughout the innings.

The emphatic win means India have advanced to the Asian Games men's cricket final, scheduled for October 3. Pakistan are involved in the other semifinal against Bangladesh, with the winner set to face India for the gold medal.

India entered the tournament as the defending Asian Games champions and have now moved one step closer to retaining their gold medal. The men's cricket competition has been heavily affected by rain, with the quarterfinals washed out and teams advancing according to their rankings