India stormed into the men's cricket final at the Asian Games 2026 with a commanding 124-run victory over Sri Lanka in Thursday's semifinal, setting up a blockbuster gold medal clash with arch-rivals Pakistan on October 3.
The defending champions were clinical in the last-four contest, closing out the semifinal emphatically to keep their title defence on track. India had reached the semifinals directly after their quarter-final against Afghanistan was abandoned because of persistent rain, with the higher-seeded side progressing under the tournament rules.
Led by Shreyas Iyer, India came into the semifinal as the team to beat, and the batters and bowlers delivered together to leave Sri Lanka with no way back. The margin of victory — 124 runs — reflected a performance where India controlled the game from start to finish and kept the pressure on throughout.
**The final everyone wanted**
The victory sets the stage for the most-anticipated fixture of the Games: an India-Pakistan gold medal match on October 3. Pakistan won their own semifinal to book their place in the final, meaning the two rivals will now face off with the top prize on the line.
India-Pakistan clashes in cricket carry unmatched intensity, and a gold medal at stake makes this one even bigger. India will look to defend the gold they won at the previous edition of the Games, while Pakistan will be determined to spoil the party and take the top step of the podium themselves.
**A golden day for India's campaign**
The semifinal win capped a strong day for India at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, coming alongside silver for Manu Francis and Prince Kurisinkal Noble in the men's skiff sailing event and the women's hockey team's progress to their final against China on October 2.
With the medal table moving and more finals lined up, Thursday's cricket result was the headline act — and it sets up the perfect finale on October 3.
**Sources:** Breaking News Live: Asian Games 2026 - India Crush Sri Lanka By 124 Runs, Set Up Gold Medal Clash With Pakistan (Times Now)
The defending champions were clinical in the last-four contest, closing out the semifinal emphatically to keep their title defence on track. India had reached the semifinals directly after their quarter-final against Afghanistan was abandoned because of persistent rain, with the higher-seeded side progressing under the tournament rules.
Led by Shreyas Iyer, India came into the semifinal as the team to beat, and the batters and bowlers delivered together to leave Sri Lanka with no way back. The margin of victory — 124 runs — reflected a performance where India controlled the game from start to finish and kept the pressure on throughout.
**The final everyone wanted**
The victory sets the stage for the most-anticipated fixture of the Games: an India-Pakistan gold medal match on October 3. Pakistan won their own semifinal to book their place in the final, meaning the two rivals will now face off with the top prize on the line.
India-Pakistan clashes in cricket carry unmatched intensity, and a gold medal at stake makes this one even bigger. India will look to defend the gold they won at the previous edition of the Games, while Pakistan will be determined to spoil the party and take the top step of the podium themselves.
**A golden day for India's campaign**
The semifinal win capped a strong day for India at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, coming alongside silver for Manu Francis and Prince Kurisinkal Noble in the men's skiff sailing event and the women's hockey team's progress to their final against China on October 2.
With the medal table moving and more finals lined up, Thursday's cricket result was the headline act — and it sets up the perfect finale on October 3.
**Sources:** Breaking News Live: Asian Games 2026 - India Crush Sri Lanka By 124 Runs, Set Up Gold Medal Clash With Pakistan (Times Now)
