Team India stunned their arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asian Games 2026 gold medal game at the Karogi Athletic Park in Nisshin on Saturday, October 3.
The Men in Blue batted first and posted a daunting total of 211/6 in 20 overs. Abhishek Sharma was the top scorer with 61 off 28, including three fours and seven sixes. Tilak Varma also shone with 51* off 22, including three fours and four sixes.
In response, Pakistan scored 192/6 in 20 overs, losing by 19 runs. Hasan Nawaz was the wrecker-in-chief with 96 runs off 51 balls with five fours and seven sixes. Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube picked two wickets apiece.
On that note, let’s take a look at what the Indian captain Shreyas Iyer said after the game.
Shreyas Iyer, India captain:
“If I have to use a word, I would say ecstatic as well because since the day we arrived in Japan, it was raining cats and dogs and we couldn’t practice for almost a week. But the boys, the way they prepped themselves and also were doing their training on the side, we didn’t complain, we didn’t give any reasons. So that was a sign of a champion itself, champion team. And today was just a reflection of that.”
[On his emotions when Pakistan were chasing] “Well, they were cruising pretty well and they got that momentum in between. I just wanted to see that I get that fifth (bowlers) over as soon as possible, finish it off, and then Bumrah was there, Washi was there, the lead bowlers, they wanted to come in as well. So I basically paced their overs pretty well. That’s what I felt. And especially when the run rate is about 13 to 14, we know that the batsmen, they are going to take charge, and one wicket is going to change the momentum, shift the momentum towards us. So that’s what happened, and that crucial wicket of.. I don’t remember the name of the batsman (Ayub), but that changed the momentum.”
[On different players contributing to today’s win] “Exactly. When you’re playing a final, you want each and every individual to step up and deliver, and that’s what we witnessed today. Abhishek giving us that start, and then Tilak basically finishing off the innings, and then in bowling Washi taking the charge, Axar being himself all the time, and Bumrah, we know what he has got. So yeah, collective effort, and overall I would say comprehensive win.”
[On the celebrations tonight] Definitely, “I mean I’m extremely happy, and all of us are just waiting to go back to the hotel. We’ve been on the ground for a while now, so yes, we haven’t decided what we are going to do, but let’s see.”
