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India stormed into the men’s T20 cricket final at the Asian Games after thrashing Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the semi-final on Thursday (October 1). After a strong batting display, Shreyas Iyer’s side produced a dominant bowling performance at Nishinoki Sports Park to seal a one-sided victory.
India will face Pakistan in the final.
Batting first after losing the toss, India posted 169 runs in 20 overs. They then bowled Sri Lanka out for just 45 to complete a massive 124-run victory.
It was India’s first match at the Asian Games. Their quarter-final against Japan last week was abandoned due to rain, sending them directly into the semi-finals.
India struggled early on a difficult pitch after Sri Lanka opted to field. Openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson departed quickly before Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ishan Kishan steadied the innings.
Suryavanshi, returning to the playing XI for the first time since India’s tour of Zimbabwe, made a valuable 39 off 21 balls.
Kishan then took charge with a composed innings against Sri Lanka’s spinners. He gradually accelerated and finished unbeaten on 80 off 46 balls.
Sri Lanka suffered a major setback immediately in their reply as Jasprit Bumrah claimed two wickets in the opening over. They never recovered from the early blows.
Bumrah was well supported by Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, who also impressed with the ball. Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 45 as India completed a comprehensive victory and booked their place in the final.
Pakistan had earlier secured their place in the final by defeating Bangladesh in the first semi-final of the day.
Rain reduced that match to 13 overs per side. Bangladesh scored 111 for seven in 13 overs before Pakistan chased down the target in 11.3 overs for the loss of four wickets.
