Saim Ayub became the target of Indian fans during the India vs Pakistan Asian Games 2026 gold medal match at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Saturday, October 3. The Pakistan all-rounder was subjected to chants of Rohit Sharma’s famous “garden mein nahi ghoomega” line from the stands.
The rivalry carried extra significance with the gold medal at stake in Nisshin. Ayub had earlier dismissed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for 15 before celebrating with a baby-cradle gesture, while India went on to post 211/6 after strong contributions from Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube.
Saim Ayub Targeted With Rohit Sharma’s Famous ‘Garden Mein Nahi Ghoomega’ Line
Fans targeted Saim Ayub with Rohit Sharma’s famous ‘garden mein nahi ghoomega’ line, repeatedly shouting “Koi garden mein nahi ghoomega” as he patrolled the boundary. They also taunted him after his two dropped catches, with one fan calling out, “Oye Saim, ek aur catch chhodna.”
Fans were sledging Sam Ayub: "koi garden me nhi ghumega"😂 during the India vs Pakistan gold medal match in Japan🔥 pic.twitter.com/dJ6duGqL9G
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) October 3, 2026
During the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam in February 2024, the then India captain was heard telling his players, “Koi garden mein nahi ghoomega,” after becoming frustrated with their lack of urgency on the field.
The remark quickly became a social media favourite. After India won the Test series against England 4-1 in March 2024, Rohit shared a picture with Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel on Instagram with the caption, “Garden mein ghoomne wale bande.”
Saim Ayub Dismisses Vaibhav Sooryavanshi After Two Sixes
Pakistan got an early breakthrough through Saim Ayub in the third over after Sooryavanshi had started aggressively alongside Abhishek Sharma. The 15-year-old had already struck two sixes, one over square and another over long-on, after initially taking his time on the sluggish surface.
Sooryavanshi then attempted a reverse sweep against a good-length delivery from Ayub. The ball turned enough to produce a faint glove, and wicketkeeper Usman Khan completed the catch after initially juggling the ball. Sooryavanshi departed for 15 off nine balls, including two sixes.
Saim Ayub celebrated the dismissal with a baby-cradle gesture as Sooryavanshi walked back. The moment drew attention because of the teenager’s age and the high-pressure nature of the final, although the Indian players did not immediately react to the celebration.
Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma Power India to 211/6
India recovered from the early wickets through an explosive innings from Abhishek Sharma. The left-hander raced to his half-century from just 20 balls and finished with 61 off 28 deliveries, hitting three fours and seven sixes. He also received two lives after Pakistan missed catches during the powerplay.
Arafat Minhas eventually dismissed Abhishek in the eighth over, after which Pakistan’s spinners slowed India’s scoring rate. Shreyas Iyer made 21 off 24 balls, while Ishan Kishan scored 20 off 18 before Minhas dismissed him.
Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube changed the momentum in the death overs with a 62-run partnership for the sixth wicket. They attacked Abrar Ahmed for 12 runs in the 17th over and Sufyan Moqim for 18 in the 18th before taking 23 runs from Ayub’s final over.
Varma reached his fifty from 21 balls and finished unbeaten on 51 off 22. India finished on 211/6. Varma’s 21-ball fifty was the second-fastest by an Indian against Pakistan in T20Is, behind Abhishek’s 20-ball effort earlier in the match.
