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The India National Cricket Team clinched the gold medal match at the Asian Games 2026, beating the Pakistan National Cricket Team by 19 runs at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Saturday, October 3.
With this thrilling win, India has now won the men’s cricket gold medal in two consecutive Asian Games. India, winners of the title in Hangzhou in 2024, successfully defended their crown in 2026 and added another special moment to their Asian Games journey. Earlier, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ravi Bishnoi were involved in scary collision in IND vs PAK final.
Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma shine as India post 211
After captain Shreyas Iyer opted to bat first, they had a strong start, but at the same time, they lost some quick wickets on a pitch that offered turn and bounce at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.
Abhishek Sharma gave India a flying start with a superb 61 off 28 balls studded with seven sixes. But Pakistan spinners Arafat Minhas and Abrar Ahmed slowed India down in the middle overs by taking some key wickets, including Iyer, Ishan Kishan, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
But Tilak Varma then took the charge and played a stunning knock of 51 not out from just 22 balls. His late hitting helped the defending champions put up a huge 211/6 in 20 overs on the board.
Hasan Nawaz keeps Pakistan alive, but India win thriller
Pakistan did not give up easily. Hasan Nawaz played a superb attacking innings and kept the chase alive with powerful hitting, but India held their nerve to complete a memorable victory.
Nawaz played a remarkable knock of 96 runs off 51 balls with the help of five boundaries and seven sixes, but he didn’t get any support from the other end. As a result, Indian spinners Washington Sundar and Axar Patel put Pakistan under pressure at crucial stages.
Both Sundar and Axar finished with 2/29, as Pakistan eventually ended their innings at 192/6, with the Men in Blue winning the Gold Medal game by 19 runs at the Asian Games 2026. Amid this, Virat Kohli bags 41st international duck after being bamboozled by Jayden Seales.
Sri Lanka takes Bronze; Pakistan wins Silver at the Asian Games 2026
Following another humiliating loss to India, Pakistan’s national cricket team picked up the silver medal after finishing second at the 2026 Asian Games.
Earlier, Sri Lanka bounced back strongly after losing their semi-final against India. They defeated Bangladesh by 63 runs to win the bronze medal in the multi-nation event in Japan.
India’s history at Asian Games
India had skipped the first two editions but entered the competition in Hangzhou and won gold. They have now won two gold medals in two appearances in the Asian Games.
Apart from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have also won the gold medal once at the Asian Games. The Indian women’s team also won gold earlier in Japan, making the 2026 Asian Games a special one for India.
Asian Games Men’s Cricket Medal Winners:
| Year | Host City | 🥇 Gold Medal | 🥈 Silver Medal | 🥉 Bronze Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Guangzhou | Bangladesh | Afghanistan | Pakistan |
| 2014 | Incheon | Sri Lanka | Afghanistan | Bangladesh |
| 2023 | Hangzhou | India | Afghanistan | Bangladesh |
| 2026 | Aichi-Nagoya | India | Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
