India secured a place in the gold medal match of the Asian Games 2026 men's event with a dominant 124-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second semi-final at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Thursday, October 1.

Chasing India's above-par 169, powered by Ishan Kishan's 80 in 46 balls, Sri Lanka collapsed for just 45 in reply.

After Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field first on a wicket offering plenty of turn, India marched to 169/7 with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi setting the base and Kishan's knock landing the knockout blow for a new-look Sri Lankan side.

India did suffer early setbacks when opener Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson both fell for 7, leaving the side struggling at 24/2.

Making his comeback in the T20I side after missing the entire preceding series against Afghanistan, teenage prodigy Sooryavanshi injected momentum into the innings, smashing 38 off 21 balls with six boundaries and two sixes before falling to Sahan Arachchige.

Captain Shreyas Iyer contributed a run-a-ball 13, and there was useful support at the other end for Kishan as he turned the tables on Sri Lanka with a fiery knock.

Asian Games: Who will win gold if a potential India vs Pakistan final is washed out
Kishan provided a masterclass on a challenging, spin-friendly surface as he anchored in the middle overs before unleashing a barrage of boundaries towards the backend of the innings to power India to a daunting total for the conditions. Kishan hit five sixes and four more boundaries.

In response, Sri Lanka's chase collapsed almost immediately against a disciplined Indian bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel. Bumrah delivered two early strikes in his opening over even before Sri Lanka could get off the mark.

Axar Patel wreaked havoc through the middle order by dismissing captain Arachchige and Ashen Bandara in the space of four balls.

India's sharp ground fielding also led to multiple run-outs, including opener Lasith Croospulle (0) and No. 4 Nuwanidu Fernando (15) as Sri Lanka slipped to 31/6 inside the Powerplay. That soon became 33/7 with Washington Sundar getting on the board in the seventh over. Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi continued the squeeze, keeping a tight leash as Sri Lanka struggled to break free under immense scoreboard pressure.

Unable to establish any partnerships on the turning pitch, Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for just 45 runs in 9.5 overs, with Abhishek Sharma bagging the two remaining wickets off successive deliveries. Sri Lanka folded for 45 in 9.5 overs, crashing out of the gold medal race.

India's win has set up a high-stakes final against Pakistan, while Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will now fight it out for bronze.

Sun News/ rabbi