India produced a clinical display of bowling to dismantle Sri Lanka in the men's cricket semifinal at the Asian Games in Nisshin, Japan, on Thursday. The defending champions secured a commanding 124-run victory, booking their place in the gold medal match against arch-rivals Pakistan.
The result was defined by a spectacular bowling performance that saw Sri Lanka bundled out for just 45 runs in 9.5 overs. This total marks the first time India has restricted an opponent to under 50 runs in a T20 International, and it stands as the joint-lowest score ever recorded by a Test-playing nation in the format, matching the 45 runs scored by the West Indies against England in 2019.
A Dominant Bowling Display
Sri Lanka’s pursuit of India’s 170-run target faltered immediately as they collapsed to 31 for six during the powerplay. Jasprit Bumrah set the tone by claiming two wickets in his opening over, while Axar Patel mirrored that success with two wickets of his own. The struggle was compounded by a turning track and two run-outs, which left the Sri Lankan batting lineup unable to establish any momentum.
Reflecting on the performance, Axar Patel praised the team's ability to refocus after a period of inactivity caused by poor weather. The squad had faced a frustrating wait following a washed-out quarterfinal against Afghanistan and limited practice opportunities in Japan. Axar noted that the collective effort in both batting and bowling was essential to securing such a comprehensive result after the long break.
Setting the Stage for Gold
Earlier in the day, India posted a competitive total of 169 for seven after being sent in to bat by Sri Lanka.
With this victory, India has guaranteed themselves a medal in the men's cricket competition. They are now set to face Pakistan in the gold medal match this Saturday. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will compete against Bangladesh in the bronze medal match on the same day, following Bangladesh's defeat to Pakistan in the earlier semifinal.
