Ishan Kishan’s brisk 80 steered India into the Asian Games men’s cricket final against Pakistan after a controlled semi-final win over Sri Lanka on Thursday. The left-hander’s innings set a chaseable platform, and India’s bowlers closed the contest cleanly enough to keep the gold-medal path alive on a packed multi-sport finals day in Japan.
Kishan sets the tempo
Kishan mixed early boundaries with sharp running between the wickets, forcing Sri Lanka to chase the game rather than dictate it. Middle-order support kept the scoring rate healthy even when a few wickets fell in clusters, and India posted a total that put pressure on the opposition’s batting depth under Asian Games fielding intensity.
With Pakistan waiting in the final, the dressing room will treat the result as unfinished business. Asian Games cricket has become a high-visibility showcase for white-ball specialists between senior tours, and a gold would add another chapter to India’s campaign while giving selectors more data on form under pressure.
What the final demands
Against Pakistan, early wickets with the new ball and calm chase management will decide gold. India’s bowling unit must avoid the mid-innings drift that can open the door in short-format contests when one partnership is allowed to settle. Reporting: Sportstar.
Broader Games picture
A cricket final against Pakistan piles attention onto an already busy medal day for the Indian contingent across hockey, sailing and wrestling — and raises the political heat around every session. Trade desks also noted that a final against Pakistan will dominate Indian sports headlines even on a multi-medal Asian Games day, raising the stakes for every bowling change and field placement.
Today’s News 1 Oct 2026 · 21 stories
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