T20 World champions India routed Sri Lanka by 124 runs on Thursday to advance to the Asian Games men’s cricket final, setting up a high-stakes gold medal clash against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Korogi Athletic Park Stadium.
India posted 169-7 on a sharply turning pitch before bowling Sri Lanka out for a paltry 45 in less than 10 overs. The score represents Sri Lanka’s lowest total in men’s T20 international history, eclipsing their previous record low of 77 scored against South Africa in 2024.
After Sri Lanka elected to field, 15-year-old opening batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi marked his Asian Games debut with a whirlwind 38 off 21 balls, featuring six boundaries and two sixes.
Ishan Kishan anchored the rest of the innings, finishing unbeaten on 80 with five sixes to carry India to a total that proved well beyond Sri Lanka’s reach.
Sri Lanka’s reply collapsed immediately as pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah claimed two wickets without a run on the board in his opening over.
Left-arm spinner Axar Patel struck twice in quick succession as Sri Lanka fell to 18-5 within four overs. The innings dissolved into disarray with three separate run-outs, leaving Nuwanidu Fernando (15) as the only Sri Lankan batter to reach double figures.
Abishek Sharma ended the match by taking the final two wickets off consecutive deliveries to complete the victory.
India will face Pakistan for the gold medal on Saturday, following Pakistan’s six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first semi-final. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will meet in the bronze medal playoff.
