The Vaibhav Sooryavanshi debut delivered a rapid 38 off 21 balls as India crushed Sri Lanka by 124 runs to reach the Asian Games cricket final.
NAGOYA: The Vaibhav Sooryavanshi debut at the Asian Games gave India an explosive early boost as the 15-year-old struck 38 from 21 deliveries in a commanding 124-run semi-final victory over Sri Lanka. India posted 169 for seven before dismissing Sri Lanka for just 45 in 9.5 overs at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan.
Sooryavanshi attacks from the start
Sooryavanshi’s innings included six fours and two sixes as he provided momentum on a surface offering considerable turn and uneven bounce. His attacking 38 came after India lost Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson early, helping prevent Sri Lanka from immediately taking control of the innings.
The teenager was eventually caught at backward point, but his contribution had helped establish the platform for Ishan Kishan. Kishan then became the central figure in India’s innings, remaining unbeaten on 80 from 46 balls as India reached 169 for seven from their 20 overs.
The Vaibhav Sooryavanshi debut was specifically his first appearance at the Asian Games, rather than his international debut. He had already become India’s youngest international cricketer earlier in 2026 when he received his T20I cap at the age of 15 years and 99 days.
India bowl Sri Lanka out for 45
Sri Lanka’s chase unravelled almost immediately. Jasprit Bumrah took two wickets in the opening over and finished with figures of two for seven, while Axar Patel also claimed two wickets. Three Sri Lankan batters were run out as the innings collapsed rapidly.
Abhishek Sharma completed the rout with two wickets for two runs from five deliveries. Nuwanidu Fernando was Sri Lanka’s only batter to reach double figures, scoring 15 as the side was dismissed for 45, its lowest total in men’s T20 internationals.
India and Pakistan set for gold-medal match
India will now face Pakistan in the men’s cricket gold-medal match on Saturday, October 3. Pakistan reached the final by defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-reduced semi-final, with Abdul Samad scoring an unbeaten 30 from 15 deliveries.
India are defending the Asian Games men’s cricket title they won at Hangzhou 2023, when the final against Afghanistan was abandoned because of rain and India took gold on the competition ranking rule.
Impact to expect
The Vaibhav Sooryavanshi debut adds another high-profile performance to the teenager’s rapidly developing career, while India’s emphatic semi-final win sets up a closely watched gold-medal contest against Pakistan.
