India's cricket team claimed the Asian Games 2026 gold medal by defeating Pakistan by 19 runs in the final held in Nagoya, Japan. The match, played on Saturday, saw India post 211-6 in 20 overs, with Abhishek Sharma scoring 61 and Tilak Varma remaining not out on 51. Pakistan, led by Hasan Nawaz’s 96, managed 192-6. The win marked India’s triumph in the tournament, with the two neighboring nations only meeting on neutral ground due to political tensions.
The victory was also historic for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who became the youngest Indian to win an Asian Games gold medal in cricket. His performance contributed to India’s overall success in the competition. The win added to India’s medal tally, with other notable achievements including Kumkum’s historic recurve gold and Pranavi Urs’ gold in the women’s cricket team.
This is the second time India has won the Asian Games cricket gold, following their victory in the 2022 edition. The final was a high-stakes encounter, with both teams showing strong performances. The result highlights India’s continued dominance in the sport and reinforces its position as a leading cricket nation in Asia. The match took place in front of a small but enthusiastic crowd, underscoring the growing interest in cricket in Japan.
