IND vs SL Asian Games Semi-Final Highlights: Ishan Kishan 80*, Bowlers Demolish Sri Lanka for 45 to Book India-Pakistan Gold Medal Clash

Defending champions India stormed into the men's cricket final of the 2026 Asian Games with an emphatic display of power-hitting and bowling dominance at the Aichi Prefectural Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Thursday afternoon. Driven by a calculated, unbeaten 80 from wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan and an early cameo from teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, India recovered from top-order wobbles to post 169 for 7. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel and speedster Jasprit Bumrah then ripped through Sri Lanka's batting lineup, bundling them out for just 45 in 9.5 overs to seal a massive 124-run victory.

DailyCricInfo delivers the complete, verified scorecard breakdown, key partnerships, and tactical turning points from the second semi-final in Japan.

Ishan Kishan and Sooryavanshi Propel India to 169 for 7

Invited to bat first after Sri Lanka won the toss on a gripping, turning surface, India endured a tricky start inside the opening three overs.

Sri Lanka opened the attack with spin and found instant success. Lasith Croospulle removed dangerous opener Abhishek Sharma (7 off 3 balls) in the second over, before Tharindu Rathnayake dismissed Sanju Samson for 7 to reduce India to 24 for 2.

Seventeen-year-old debutant Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provided an instant counter-attack. The young left-hander took on the Lankan spinners, hitting six boundaries and two sixes in an aggressive 38 off just 21 deliveries at a strike rate of 180.95. When Sooryavanshi fell to Nuwanidu Fernando, Ishan Kishan took complete ownership of the innings.

While captain Shreyas Iyer (13 off 13), Tilak Varma (2), and Shivam Dube (3) fell in quick succession against disciplined spells from Sahan Arachchige (2 for 28) and Tharindu Rathnayake (2 for 32), Kishan stood firm.

The left-hander paced his innings to perfection, reaching his half-century in 33 balls before exploding in the death overs. Kishan launched five towering sixes and four boundaries, remaining unbeaten on 80 off 46 deliveries at a strike rate of 173.91. Supported by late hits from Axar Patel (8) and Washington Sundar (7), Kishan dragged India to an imposing 169 for 7 in their 20 overs.

Bumrah and Axar Trigger Historic Sri Lankan Batting Collapse

Chasing 170 on a rapidly deteriorating surface, Sri Lanka's reply unraveled immediately against India's world-class attack.

Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah set the tone in the opening over, generating sharp seam movement to dismantle the top order. Bumrah bowled with venom, claiming 2 for 7 in his two overs to remove both openers, Sineth Jayawardene (0) and Sohan de Livera (0), for ducks.

From the other end, Axar Patel produced an unplayable spell of left-arm orthodox spin.

Axar struck twice in his first over, removing Ashen Bandara for a three-ball duck before cleaning up the middle order. Axar conceded just eight runs in his three overs, including a maiden, to finish with outstanding figures of 2 for 8. A sharp direct throw from Samson and Axar ran out Nuwanidu Fernando (15 off 11 balls), leaving Sri Lanka in tatters at 31 for 6 inside six overs.

Spinners Finish the Rout to Set Up Final Against Pakistan

There was no respite for Sri Lanka's lower order as India's slow-bowling unit tightened the vice.

Washington Sundar bowled three overs, conceding 18 runs while claiming the wicket of Wanuja Sahan (1). Part-time off-spinner Abhishek Sharma was introduced to finish off the tail and struck twice in just five deliveries, conceding only two runs to remove Arachchige (9) and Rathnayake (5).

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 45 in just 9.5 overs, recording the lowest T20I total by a full-member nation in Asian Games history. The comprehensive 124-run triumph sends India into the gold medal clash on Saturday, October 3.

Ishan Kishan was named Player of the Match for his match-defining 80 not out that anchored India on a challenging track.

The stage is now set for a blockbuster Asian Games 2026 men's cricket final in Nisshin, where defending champions India face arch-rivals Pakistan for the gold medal. Sri Lanka will take on Bangladesh in the bronze medal playoff.

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