India Beat Pakistan By 19 Runs To Retain Asian Games Men's Cricket Gold, Abhishek Sharma Hits 61

Published: October 3, 2026, 3:55 PM IST | Updated: October 3, 2026, 4:31 PM IST
Written by Akash Saha | Edited and fact-checked by Amit Saha | Editorial policy

India are Asian Games men’s cricket champions again. Shreyas Iyer’s side beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the gold-medal match at Korogi Athletic Park in Nisshin, Japan, on Saturday, October 3, 2026, posting 211 for 6 after winning the toss and then holding Pakistan to 192 for 6. Abhishek Sharma top-scored with 61 off 28 balls as India defended the title they won in Hangzhou in 2023.

Abhishek sets the tone

India chose to bat and Abhishek gave them a flying start, hitting seven sixes and three fours in his 28-ball 61. Shivam Dube added a brisk 27 off 15 balls, and Tilak Varma’s late hitting pushed India past 200, a daunting target on a surface that helped the spinners.

Pakistan’s chase falls short

Needing 212, Pakistan got useful contributions from Saim Ayub, who made 29 off 22 balls, but India’s bowlers kept taking wickets at regular intervals. Axar Patel struck twice to slow the chase, and although Pakistan kept going to the end, they finished 19 runs short on 192 for 6. Sahibzada Farhan’s side, chasing a first Asian Games cricket gold, had to settle for silver.

Key numbers

India 211/6 (20 overs) beat Pakistan 192/6 (20 overs) by 19 runs
Abhishek Sharma: 61 off 28 balls (3 fours, 7 sixes)
Shivam Dube: 27 off 15 balls
India’s second straight Asian Games men’s cricket gold, after Hangzhou 2023

How India got here

India reached the final with a dominant 124-run win over Sri Lanka in the semi-final, built on Ishan Kishan’s 80. Read our report on India’s semi-final win over Sri Lanka.

The cricket gold caps a memorable final weekend for India in Aichi-Nagoya, a day after the women’s hockey team won gold for the first time in 44 years. For the bigger picture, see India’s medal tally and athletics results from the Games. Follow all our coverage in the Cricket section.