India retain Asian Games cricket gold with 19-run win over Pakistan in final
Synopsis
India defended their Asian Games cricket gold with a 19-run final win over Pakistan at Nisshin, finishing with 19 golds at the Games. Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma powered a 211-run total, while Washington Sundar and Axar Patel shut out Hasan Nawaz's stunning 96 at the death — a reminder that India's bench depth remains its most dangerous asset.
Key Takeaways
India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games men's cricket final at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin on 3 October .
Abhishek Sharma (61) and Tilak Varma (51) powered India to 211 for 6 .
Hasan Nawaz hit a brilliant 96 off 51 balls for Pakistan but could not chase down the target.
Washington Sundar and Axar Patel took two wickets each in the final overs to seal the win.
The gold was India's 19th of the ongoing Asian Games edition.
Ishan Kishan dedicated the victory to the 'whole of India', calling it the nation's collective triumph.
Ishan Kishan dedicated India's retention of the Asian Games men's cricket gold medal — secured with a 19-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the final at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin on Saturday, 3 October — to the entire country, saying the triumph belongs to every Indian who backed the side. The win also handed India its 19th gold medal of the ongoing edition of the continental event.
Kishan's Tribute to the Nation
'It's the victory of the whole of India,' said Kishan after the match. 'Like I said, when you play Asian Games or go to the Olympics, it's never about what you did well and you won this. It's the victory for the whole of India and I would always want that whatever we win, it should be enjoyed by the whole of India.'
He added that the win carried special weight precisely because the Asian Games represent a collective effort: 'We played with everyone's blessings and won this match. So, obviously it's a very good feeling.'
How India Built the Match-Winning Total
Shreyas Iyer-led India, unchanged from their semifinal win over Sri Lanka, chose to bat first and posted a commanding 211 for 6. Left-handed duo Abhishek Sharma (61) and Tilak Varma (51) supplied the aggression in the middle overs, while Shivam Dube contributed a crucial 27 to push the total beyond reach.
Pakistan's Valiant but Incomplete Chase
Pakistan's reply began with intent, but India took wickets at pivotal moments to keep the pressure on. Hasan Nawaz produced a stunning 96 off 51 balls, single-handedly keeping Pakistan's hopes alive and dragging the contest deep into the final overs.
However, with 33 runs still required off the last overs, the equation proved beyond Pakistan's reach. Washington Sundar and Axar Patel each claimed two wickets at the death to seal a memorable victory and confirm India's defence of the gold medal.
India's Dominant Asian Games Campaign
The gold marks India's 19th of the current Asian Games edition and underlines the country's growing depth in limited-overs cricket at multi-sport events. India had previously won the men's cricket gold at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, and this retention cements the team's status as the continent's premier side in the format. Notably, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel were decisive in the final overs — echoing the kind of all-round lower-order performances that have defined India's bilateral T20 form through 2025–26.
What This Gold Means Going Forward
The Asian Games cricket gold, while outside the ICC calendar, carries significant prestige domestically and fuels momentum heading into upcoming bilateral assignments. For younger members of the squad such as Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma, a match-winning performance in a continental final strengthens their case for senior bilateral selection. India's medal tally continues to climb as the Games progress at Nisshin.
Point of View
Assembled outside the IPL and ICC cycle, can still perform on a high-pressure stage against a fierce rival. The standout story is not the win itself but the individuals who delivered it: Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma have now stacked continental tournament form on top of IPL runs, sharpening their case for regular senior call-ups. Hasan Nawaz's 96 deserves equal attention — a young Pakistani batter nearly single-handedly chasing 212 in a continental final is precisely the kind of talent the next India-Pakistan bilateral series will turn on. What mainstream coverage will likely miss is how this gold reinforces a structural advantage: India can rotate entire squads through multi-sport events and still win gold, while opponents must rely on individual brilliance.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Did India win the Asian Games 2026 cricket gold medal?
Yes. India retained the Asian Games men's cricket gold medal by defeating Pakistan by 19 runs in the final at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, on 3 October. It was India's second consecutive Asian Games cricket gold.
What was the scorecard of the India vs Pakistan Asian Games cricket final?
India posted 211 for 6, with Abhishek Sharma scoring 61 and Tilak Varma 51. Pakistan's chase fell 19 runs short despite Hasan Nawaz's 96 off 51 balls, as Washington Sundar and Axar Patel claimed two wickets each in the closing overs.
Who was the standout performer for India in the final?
Abhishek Sharma (61) and Tilak Varma (51) were the batting stars, while Washington Sundar and Axar Patel were the decisive bowling contributions at the death. Shreyas Iyer captained the side.
What did Ishan Kishan say after India's win?
Kishan said the victory belonged to 'the whole of India', stressing that Asian Games and Olympic medals are never personal achievements but a collective triumph for every Indian who supported the team.
How many gold medals has India won at the 2026 Asian Games?
The cricket gold was India's 19th gold medal of the ongoing Asian Games edition, continuing a strong campaign across multiple sports at the continental event.
