Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 80 and a ruthless bowling display powered India into the gold medal match at the Asian Games 2026, as Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 45 in the second semifinal at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.
India won by 124 runs after posting 169/7 on a difficult, spin-friendly surface. Kishan held the innings together through the middle overs before exploding at the death, while the bowlers made sure Sri Lanka never got close to mounting a chase.
India will now face Pakistan in the final, with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka set to contest the bronze medal.
IND vs SL: Ishan Kishan changes the course of the innings
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field, and their decision appeared to be paying off early.
India lost Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson for seven each, leaving them 24/2. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi then provided the spark India needed, attacking the Sri Lankan bowlers with a 21-ball 38 that included six fours and two sixes.
The teenager’s dismissal brought Shreyas Iyer to the crease, but the India captain could make only 13 from 13 balls.
Kishan, however, stayed at the crease and gradually took control.
Initially, he was forced to play a more measured innings as the surface offered plenty of turn. Once he had settled, the left-hander began taking greater risks and found the boundary repeatedly in the closing overs.
Kishan finished unbeaten on 80 from 46 balls, hitting four fours and five sixes. His late acceleration turned what had looked like a modest total into a challenging 169.
IND vs SL: Jasprit Bumrah strikes early
If Kishan’s innings gave India control, their bowlers ensured the contest was effectively over within minutes of the chase beginning.
Jasprit Bumrah opened the attack and immediately found his rhythm. He struck twice in his first over, leaving Sri Lanka without a run on the board and already under enormous pressure.
Axar Patel then took over through the middle overs. He removed captain Sahan Arachchige and Ashen Bandara within four deliveries, further exposing a fragile Sri Lankan batting line-up.
India’s fielding added to the pressure.
Lasith Croospulle was run out for a duck, while Nuwanidu Fernando was also sent back after scoring 15. Sri Lanka were reduced to 31/6 inside the Powerplay and had little opportunity to recover.
Washington Sundar joined the attack in the seventh over and quickly added another wicket as Sri Lanka slipped to 33/7.
IND vs SL: Sri Lanka collapse for 45
With the pitch continuing to assist the spinners, Sri Lanka could not build even a single meaningful partnership.
Bishnoi and Sundar kept the batters tied down, while India’s fielders remained sharp around the ring.
The innings ended after just 9.5 overs. Abhishek Sharma claimed the final two wickets with successive deliveries to complete the collapse.
Sri Lanka’s 45 was their total for the entire innings, giving India a massive 124-run victory.
Bumrah and Axar finished with two wickets each, while Abhishek also claimed two for just two runs.
India’s preparation for the semifinal had been disrupted by rain, leaving them with limited competitive cricket in Japan. There was little sign of rust when it mattered.
They now have one more game to complete their gold-medal campaign, with Pakistan waiting in the final.
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