Asian Games: Ishan Kishan’s Brilliant 80 and Bumrah-Axar Show Helps India Smash Sri Lanka to Set Up Pakistan Final
Ishan Kishan produced a composed unbeaten 80 off 46 balls on a challenging pitch as India stormed into the men’s cricket final of the Asian Games with a 124-run win over Sri Lanka on Thursday. India will now face arch-rivals Pakistan in the gold medal match.
Kishan anchored India’s innings after Sri Lanka opted to bowl first, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provided valuable support with a quick 38 off 21 balls. The duo helped India post 169 for seven in 20 overs on a turning surface.
Sri Lanka Collapse in the Chase
Sri Lanka’s chase never got going as India’s bowlers ripped through the batting line-up. The island nation slipped to 31 for six during the powerplay and was eventually bowled out for just 45 in 9.5 overs.
Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel claimed two wickets apiece, conceding just seven and eight runs respectively. Abhishek Sharma was even more economical, taking two wickets for only two runs, while Washington Sundar picked up one wicket for 18 runs.
Nuwanidu Fernando was Sri Lanka’s only batter to reach double figures, scoring 15. Five Sri Lankan batters failed to open their accounts.
Sri Lanka’s Sahan Arachchige and Tharindu Ratnayake took two wickets each, while Wanuja Sahan, Nuwanidu Fernando and Lasith Croospulle picked up one wicket apiece.
Brief Scores
India: 169/7 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 80; Sahan Arachchige 2/28)
Sri Lanka: 45 all out in 9.5 overs (Nuwanidu Fernando 15; Jasprit Bumrah 2/7, Axar Patel 2/8, Abhishek Sharma 2/2)
India’s emphatic victory sets up a highly anticipated gold medal clash against Pakistan.
