New Delhi. In a spectacular semi‑final at the Asian Games, India smashed Sri Lanka by 124 runs, earning a place in the gold‑medal showdown.

Batting on Fire

After conceding the toss, India posted 169/7 in their full quota of 20 overs. Opener Ishan Kishan anchored the innings with an unbeaten 80 off just 46 balls, peppering the attack with four fours and five sixes.

The middle order added vital momentum: Vaibhav Suryavanshi struck 38 from 21 deliveries, smashing six fours and two sixes, while captain Shreyas Iyer contributed 13 runs. Both Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson managed seven each.

Lower‑order runs came from Axar Patel (8), Tilak Varma (2), Shivam Dube (3) and an unbeaten Washington Sundar (7).

Sri Lanka Folded Early

Chasing a modest 170, Sri Lanka never found a foothold. Six wickets fell without a run added, and the top score was a modest 15 by Nuwanidu Fernando.

Other contributions were scant: Sahan Arachchige (9), Chamika Karunaratne (4), Vanuja Sahan (1) and Tharindu Ratnayake (5). Three dismissals came via run‑outs.

India’s bowlers shared the credit: Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Abhishek Sharma each claimed two wickets, while Washington Sundar added one.

A Record‑Setting Victory

The 124‑run margin eclipses any previous India‑Sri Lanka win in the Asian Games, surpassing the 93‑run triumph recorded in Cuttack in 2017.

Chasing Back‑to‑Back Gold

India entered the tournament as the defending champions, having lifted the men’s cricket gold at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou under Ruturaj Gaikwad. The women’s team already secured consecutive titles, heightening the stakes for the men’s final.

Pakistan’s Road to the Finale

In the other semi‑final, rain truncated the game to 13 overs per side. Bangladesh set 111/7, and Pakistan chased down the revised target of 112 in 11.3 overs. Hasan Nawaz smashed 27 off 22 balls, while Abdul Samad remained unbeaten on 30 from 15 deliveries, forging a decisive 59‑run partnership.

The Ultimate Clash

The gold‑medal face‑off between arch‑rivals India and Pakistan is scheduled for 3 October, promising a high‑octane finale to the Asian Games cricket tournament.