India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs to defend the gold medal at the Asian Games.
India clinched back-to-back gold medals in men's cricket at the Asian Games by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan by 19 runs in a high-octane final at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan on Saturday (October 3).
Batting first, India posted a mammoth total of 211/6 in their 20 overs. Opener Abhishek Sharma blasted a breathtaking 61 off 28 balls while Tilak Varma provided a spectacular late surge, finishing unbeaten with 51 off just 22 deliveries.
Despite a valiant, solo rescue act from Pakistan's Hasan Nawaz—who smashed 96 off 51 balls—the Indian bowling unit held their nerve to restrict Pakistan to 192/6. India's spin duo of Axar Patel (2-29) and Washington Sundar (2-29) strangled Pakistan's middle order, while Shivam Dube (2-33) closed out the match by dismissing Nawaz on the final ball.
Following the triumph, India’s stand-in head coach VVS Laxman commended the squad for defending the gold medal they previously won at Hangzhou. He revealed that the team faced persistent rain from Tokyo to Nagoya, completely disrupting outdoor training and stripping them of decent practice facilities.
Laxman lauded the Indian players for remaining "mentally switched on" and maximizing their indoor gym and hotel sessions to deliver peak intensity on the global stage.
"It was quite challenging since the time we came to Japan, you know, rain followed us in Tokyo (during the final against Afghanistan) and then to the venue here, but overall, I think the team really played well, and very happy with the result," Laxman told reporters.
"We hardly had any practice sessions, hardly had any preparation, and we also know that the practice facilities here—however limited they were—were there, but because of the weather, we were not able to access the ground," he said.
"But mentally, I felt that everyone of them was really switched on, and even though we were indoors, whether in the hotel or we went to a couple of indoor sessions in Tokyo, everyone got the best out of the sessions which they participated in. And I think that is what you expect at the highest level: individually, can they prepare to the best of their abilities, irrespective of how challenging the conditions may be, so that when they represent the country, they are not compromising on the intensity," he added.
Reflecting on the match, Laxman said that while everyone expected the wicket to be tough, it was great to see the Indian team rack up a formidable 200-plus total on the board.
"I mean, you expect that in T20, so I think overall, I was quite happy that we put on 211, you know, because everyone expected that it was going to be a tough wicket, but it was great to see our batters adjusting to the conditions, assessing the conditions, and right from the first over, you know, I thought they showed a lot of intent," he stated.
Commenting on the fighting knock from Nawaz, Laxman said it is expected in the T20 format that the game would get close in case one or two opposition batters click and hailed the Indian bowlers for holding their nerves.
"So also the bowlers, you know, and you expect in a T20 match that if, you know, a couple of batters do well from the opposition, it is going to be a tight game, but to hold the nerve, bowl those crucial deliveries, to, you know, get back the momentum to the team was great to see. And overall, I think everyone has to be complimented, you know, right from Shreyas (Iyer) as a captain to all the players, you know, we played to our potential, and very happy with the result," he remarked.
VVS Laxman emphasized that this back-to-back Asian Games success serves as a major building block and motivational fuel for India's massive pool of cricket talent aiming for ultimate glory in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
"I think they will be (motivated after the medal), you know, because as I mentioned before, playing in the Olympics or participating in the Olympics itself is a matter of great honour for any athlete, you know, representing your country. So, I am sure that, you know, the team which goes there will do everything possible to play to their potential and get the desired result, and we've got an abundance of talent, and there is no doubt that whichever team and whichever group of players go there, they'll make everyone of us proud," he concluded.
(With ANI Inputs)