India successfully defended their men’s cricket title at the 2026 Asian Games, overcoming fierce rivals Pakistan by 19 runs in the final held in Nagoya, Japan. The victory marks India’s second consecutive gold medal in the sport, following their success at the 2022 Hangzhou Games.
Batting first, India posted a formidable total of 211 for the loss of six wickets across their 20 overs. The innings was powered by explosive half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma. Sharma led the charge at the top of the order, scoring 61 runs off just 28 balls, a highlight of which included seven sixes. His aggressive start helped India reach 81-2 by the end of the powerplay before he was dismissed in the eighth over.
Tilak Varma continued the momentum with an unbeaten 51 off 22 deliveries, hitting three fours and four maximums to guide India to a commanding score.
In response, Pakistan struggled early, slipping to 39-3 as India’s bowlers applied pressure. However, Hasan Nawaz launched a defiant counter-attack, scoring a rapid 96 off 51 balls, which featured seven sixes. Despite Nawaz’s heroic effort, he was caught off the final ball of the match, leaving Pakistan short of the target.
India finished with 192 for six. The bowlers shared the wickets evenly, with spinners Axar Patel and Washington Sundar both taking two wickets for 29 runs each, while all-rounder Shivam Dube claimed three wickets for 33 runs.
The win solidifies India’s dominance in Asian Games cricket, adding to their medal tally from their debut in the men’s competition four years ago.
Was that catch in the last ball a super catch? The tension in that final over was unbearable to watch!
Back-to-back golds really cements India as the cricketing powerhouse of Asia. Dominant performance all round.
Hearts broken but proud of Nawaz’s fighting fifty-one. We’ll be back stronger next time, InshaAllah.
I’m still amazed cricket returned for these Games. The atmosphere in Nagoya must have been electric.
Abhishek Sharma is absolutely on fire! That powerplay display was terrifying for the bowling attack.