India stormed into the 2026 Asian Games men’s cricket final after defeating Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the second semi-final in Nisshin on October 1. Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 80 and a devastating bowling display helped the defending champions secure their biggest T20I victory over Sri Lanka.

India posted 169 for 7 after being asked to bat, with Kishan anchoring the innings on a difficult pitch. Sri Lanka then collapsed for just 45 in 13.5 overs, their second-lowest total in men’s Asian Games cricket.

The victory sets up an India vs Pakistan final, with a gold medal at stake.

Kishan Leads India to 169

Batting conditions were challenging throughout India’s innings, with the surface offering considerable assistance to the spinners.

Kishan provided the difference, scoring an unbeaten 80 from 46 balls. He played with increasing aggression as the innings progressed and brought up his half-century from 33 deliveries.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also made an important contribution, scoring 38 from 21 balls. The young batter repeatedly targeted the off side and helped India make a strong start despite the difficult conditions.

India lost Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Shreyas Iyer during the middle overs, while Axar Patel and Tilak Varma also fell cheaply. Kishan, however, remained at the crease and continued to find boundaries.

India scored four sixes and four fours during the final eight overs. Kishan struck most of those boundaries before Washington Sundar added a late six to take India to 169 for 7.

Sri Lanka Collapse for 45

Sri Lanka’s chase quickly turned into a disaster.

Jasprit Bumrah struck with the second ball of the innings, dismissing Sineth Jayawardena. He then removed Sohan de Livera in his second over, leaving Sri Lanka struggling immediately.

Bumrah finished with outstanding figures of 2 for 7 from two overs, while Axar Patel claimed 2 for 8.

India’s spinners dominated the innings, with the bowling attack producing 73 dot balls. Sri Lanka also suffered three run-outs, including two involving batters from their top four.

The visitors were eventually dismissed for 45, matching the lowest total by a Full Member side in men’s T20Is. It was also the second-lowest score recorded in men’s cricket at the Asian Games.

Spin Dominates in Nisshin

India selected four spinners for the semi-final, while Sri Lanka went with three.

The strategy paid off as spinners bowled 149 of the 179 deliveries in the match. They took 12 wickets and conceded runs at an economy rate of 6.56.

Bumrah was the only frontline quick used extensively, and his two-over spell demonstrated the assistance available to the bowlers.

Axar also played a major role, bowling 14 dot balls and taking two wickets. India’s bowling dominance was completed with a team hat-trick towards the end of the Sri Lankan innings.

India Set Up Final Against Pakistan

The emphatic victory means India will face Pakistan in the 2026 Asian Games men’s cricket final.

The result also gives India a chance to defend the gold medal they won in the previous edition of the Asian Games.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, were unable to recover after their top order struggled against India’s pace and spin. Their total of 45 left India with a massive 124-run victory, their largest-ever T20I win over Sri Lanka.

With the gold medal now at stake, the Asian Games will conclude with a high-profile India-Pakistan final.