Kishan played a match-winning knock of 80* in the second semifinal against Sri Lanka.
India stormed into the final of the Asian Games 2026 men's cricket tournament after securing a massive 124-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second semifinal at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin. The win sets up a highly anticipated Gold Medal clash against Pakistan on Saturday (October 3).
Invited to bat first on a tricky pitch, India posted 169/7 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 80 off 46 balls. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also played a valuable knock of 21-ball 38 at the top of the order.
In reply, Sri Lanka’s innings folded for a paltry 45 in 9.5 overs. Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Abhishek Sharma picked up two wickets each for India.
After scripting the team’s emphatic win, Kishan highlighted the tactical mindset required to assess the surface, explaining that setting a benchmark of 150 runs was crucial to giving India's four specialized spinners a safe, competitive total to defend.
“Yeah, I think it was very important for us to get to that total. The first target, when you go in, is to understand how much is needed on this kind of wicket. Especially having four spinners in your side, you need to get at least 150 runs, or somewhere around that mark, on this pitch to be on the safer side. So, the goal was simple: just somehow get to 150. I was just playing the shots that were needed at that point in time,” Kishan told the media, as quoted by RevSportz.
Sharing his thoughts on the pitch with so many cracks, the southpaw explained that India's strategy was for any well-set batter to anchor the innings and bat through all 20 overs to ensure they reached a competitive total.
“I think it was very tricky, to be very honest. I was not feeling so confident in the middle, but we had a team meeting and a plan. Anyone who was the last man set in the middle was supposed to stay there and bat through all 20 overs, because that is the best way he can score big runs and help the team get to a certain total.
“I felt that if someone came in and suddenly you asked him to go for big shots or get the run rate going, it would be very difficult. So, like we discussed, if one batter was set in the middle, he just had to try and score big runs,” he added.
India will look to defend their crown when they face arch-rivals Pakistan, who advanced to the final after defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-truncated first semifinal.
Addressing a query about the pressure of playing the high-stake gold medal clash against Pakistan, Kishan replied: “I think just keeping it simple. You don’t think too much. We played today and we know the conditions are not going to be easy, especially because they are also a spin-friendly team. At the same time, you don’t think about what is going to happen after two days. You just keep calm, play your shots, be in the moment and enjoy these championship moments.”
Ishan Kishan dismissed the suggestions that the pitch conditions in Japan make the final a "lottery".
“No, I actually don’t think so. Cricket is all about getting out to one good ball, and that can change the whole scenario of the game. So you have to be very aware of the situation, what the pitch is going to do, what you are planning to do and what the team requires.
“Especially on these wickets, I feel it’s more about your team goals rather than your individual goals. So we just focus on those little things,” he said.
When asked about the unique pressure of playing in a multi-sport event rather than a typical bilateral series under the BCCI, Kishan opened up about the profound national pride and emotional weight that comes with competing directly for a podium medal.
“To be very honest, I was thinking about this and it does make a difference in your heart, at least. When you are playing for India, especially when it’s about a medal, it’s not just something related to the BCCI. It’s always about India.
“Here, there are so many flags going around and so many people cheering for you, so you get that feeling inside. Though you don’t show it, you feel that this is a different kind of thing.
“Even if we have a very good side, with those bowlers and batters, I still feel there is a bit more pressure here, to be very honest. You want to take a medal back home,” he remarked.
Ishan Kishan expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the incredible hospitality, warmth, and support shown by locals and volunteers during the Asian Games in Japan.
“I think it’s been lovely. Everyone has been so sweet and helpful, especially when we are going around here and there. Though there is a language barrier, I’ve seen all the locals here trying to help us get wherever we want to go. They have been on their toes, helping us with whatever we need. During the match as well, if I speak, they are all there. Whatever we need, they are there, close by, doing everything for us. Those little things, you can’t really talk about them, but you feel very good when you see people helping you out here, especially when you are in some other country. Sometimes it’s not even their job, but they are still trying. I think I’ve just decided I’ll come here once again, maybe with my family.”
In the end, Kishan praised the global Indian diaspora, highlighting how traveling Indian fans essentially give the team a "home match" advantage anywhere in the world, creating a crucial psychological comfort zone for the players regardless of the match situation.
"I think the support we get is the best thing. Whenever we go anywhere in the world, I think Indian supporters are always there. We always get that extra bit of backing from the supporters, so we are always starting the game with a little bit of an upper hand.
“At the same time, all I can say is that I am very thankful to each and every one of them coming from so far away. Whether we are losing or winning, it doesn’t matter to them. It’s just their support.
“They come here, they support us, they cheer for us and they keep making sure that all our players are in a comfort zone. That is the most important thing, and we are really thankful to them. Thank you. Thank you so much,” he concluded.