India beat Sri Lanka by 124 runs to reach Asian Games cricket final
Synopsis
India steamrolled Sri Lanka for just 45 runs in 9.5 overs — the most lopsided result of the Asian Games cricket tournament — to set up a gold-medal final against Pakistan. With Bumrah ripping through the top order and Ishan Kishan's unbeaten 80 laying the foundation, India look ominous heading into one of sport's most charged rivalries.
Key Takeaways
India beat Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the Asian Games men's cricket semi-final at Karogi Sports Park, Nisshin on 1 October .
Ishan Kishan scored an unbeaten 80 off 46 balls to anchor India to 169/7 in 20 overs.
Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 45 in 9.5 overs — only Nuwanidu Fernando (15) reached double figures.
Jasprit Bumrah took 2/7 , Axar Patel 2/8 , and Abhishek Sharma 2/2 to dismantle the Sri Lankan batting.
India, the defending champions, will face Pakistan in the final, eyeing a second consecutive Asian Games gold .
India dismantled Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the men's cricket semi-final of the Asian Games at Karogi Sports Park, Nisshin on 1 October, storming into the final where a blockbuster showdown against Pakistan awaits. The defending champions bowled Sri Lanka out for a meagre 45 runs in just 9.5 overs while chasing a target of 170.
Bumrah and Bishnoi set the tone
Jasprit Bumrah was devastating at the top, ripping through Sri Lanka's top order with a double-wicket first over — openers Sineth Jayawardena and keeper-batter Sohan de Livera both dismissed for ducks. In the very next over, a sharp throw from Ravi Bishnoi ran out opener Lasith Croospulle, leaving the Sahan Arachchige-led side reeling at 2/3 inside 7 deliveries.
The collapse accelerated rapidly. Axar Patel claimed two wickets in the fourth over, reducing Sri Lanka to 18/5, before further run-outs and sharp bowling reduced the innings to rubble. Washington Sundar and Abhishek Sharma — the latter scalping two wickets in two balls — ensured no recovery was possible. Only Nuwanidu Fernando, with 15 runs, crossed double figures as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 45.
Ishan Kishan's unbeaten 80 anchors India's innings
Batting first on what was described as a challenging pitch, India posted 169/7 in their 20 overs. Ishan Kishan was the standout performer, crafting an unbeaten 80 off 46 deliveries — studded with five sixes and four boundaries — to give India a defendable total after the top order stuttered.
Opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, returning to the lineup, contributed a steady 38, holding his end while both Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson were dismissed cheaply for identical scores of 7. Captain Shreyas Iyer managed only a run-a-ball 13 before being dismissed by Wanuja Sahan. Sahan Arachchige and Tharindu Ratnayake picked up 2 wickets each for Sri Lanka.
India vs Pakistan final: the stage is set
India's final opponent will be Pakistan, who defeated Bangladesh in the other semi-final. The India-Pakistan clash in the Asian Games cricket final is shaping up as one of the most anticipated contests at the Games. India are eyeing a second consecutive gold medal, having won the title at the previous edition.
Brief Scores
India 169/7 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 80 not out, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 38; Sahan Arachchige 2-28, Tharindu Ratnayake 2-32) beat Sri Lanka 45/10 in 9.5 overs (Nuwanidu Fernando 15; Abhishek Sharma 2-2, Jasprit Bumrah 2-7, Axar Patel 2-8) by 124 runs.
With the final now confirmed, all eyes turn to what promises to be a fiercely contested gold-medal match between two cricketing giants on Asian soil.
Point of View
Not just a defeat, and it raises real questions about the depth of associate-level Asian cricket in multi-sport formats. More telling is who starred: Jasprit Bumrah and Ishan Kishan are India's frontline red-ball and white-ball assets respectively, suggesting the squad sent to Nisshin is far from a second-string side. The India-Pakistan final will generate enormous viewership and political noise, but the cricket story here is India's bowling unit's ruthlessness — if replicated in the final, Pakistan's batting will face a severe examination.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the India vs Sri Lanka Asian Games semi-final?
India defeated Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the men's cricket semi-final of the Asian Games at Karogi Sports Park, Nisshin on 1 October. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 45 while chasing 170.
Who will India face in the Asian Games cricket final?
India will face Pakistan in the men's cricket final of the Asian Games. Pakistan beat Bangladesh in the other semi-final to set up the high-profile clash.
How did Ishan Kishan perform in the semi-final?
Ishan Kishan scored an unbeaten 80 off 46 deliveries, hitting five sixes and four boundaries, to anchor India to 169/7. His innings was the backbone of India's total on a challenging pitch.
Which Indian bowlers starred against Sri Lanka?
Jasprit Bumrah took 2/7, Axar Patel 2/8, and Abhishek Sharma 2/2, with Ravi Bishnoi also contributing a run-out. The combined effort skittled Sri Lanka for just 45 in 9.5 overs.
Are India the defending champions at the Asian Games cricket event?
Yes, India are the defending champions and are now chasing a second consecutive gold medal at the Asian Games. A win in the final against Pakistan would confirm back-to-back titles.
