India have won the men's cricket gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games, beating Pakistan in the final at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan. India, who won gold at the 2023 Asian Games, have now retained their title.
The final pitted two of Asia's fiercest cricket rivals against each other, with India coming into the match after a commanding 124-run victory over Sri Lanka in the semi-final.
India hit 211 runs
India won the toss and decided to bat. They got off to a good start with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma attacking Pakistan.
Sooryavanshi hit two sixes in nine balls for 15 runs before being dismissed by Saim Ayub. Sanju Samson was then out for just two, but India kept the pace up. Abhishek Sharma was the star of the innings. He hit 61 off just 28 deliveries, slamming three fours and seven sixes. He reached his half-century in just 20 balls and gave India a good start.
Tilak Varma’s Flourish
Abhishek’s dismissal left India needing a strong finish, and Tilak Varma delivered.
Tilak remained not out on 51 off just 22 balls with three fours and four sixes. Shivam Dube also played a crucial cameo, scoring 27 runs off 15 balls.
The pair added 62 runs for the sixth wicket to take India past the 200-run mark. India finished on 211/6 in 20 overs, setting Pakistan a target of 212. This was India's highest total against Pakistan in a T20 international.
Indian Bowlers Dominate
Chasing 212 was always going to be tough for Pakistan, and India’s bowlers made life difficult early on.
Washington Sundar and Axar Patel made crucial breakthroughs as Pakistan struggled to keep pace with the required run rate. Sundar also struck as Axar claimed two wickets, including that of Maaz Sadaqat. There was never a serious challenge to Pakistan's chase as wickets fell and the required run rate went up. Hasan Nawaz tried his level best with 96 to get close to the total but India had it covered
Back-to-back Asian Games golds
The victory gives India another gold medal in men’s cricket at the Asian Games.
India had won the gold medal in the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games; the final against Afghanistan was washed out, and India took the title on the basis of their higher ranking. This time India did the job on the ground against Pakistan. India thrashed Sri Lanka to set up a gold-medal showdown with Pakistan. The result also makes India’s latest Asian Games cricket campaign memorable for another reason. India won the gold medal against Pakistan in the final, adding another chapter to the rivalry.
Golden Night for Indian Cricketers
Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 61 and Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 51 established the groundwork for India’s batting. The bowlers kept the pressure on Pakistan and wrapped up the win.
India have finished top of the Asian Games men’s cricket competition again after winning gold in 2023. This time, the title came after a full final against Pakistan, which made the achievement even more special.