India won the gold medal by defeating Pakistan by 19 runs in the gold medal match of Asian Games 2026. Batting first, the Indian team scored 211 runs for 6 wickets in 20 overs. In response, Pakistan team could score only 192 runs for 6 wickets in 20 overs. After the victory, Indian captain Shreyas Iyer expressed happiness over the team’s performance and praised the hard work of the players in difficult circumstances. Shreyas Iyer said that he is very happy and excited after this victory. He told that after reaching Japan, it was raining continuously, due to which the Indian team could not practice properly for about a week.
Despite this, the players did not complain of any kind and continued their preparations. According to the captain, the hallmark of a champion team is that players keep training without making excuses. The team performed with the same enthusiasm in the finals also. Ayyub’s wicket changed the course of the match. At one time during Pakistan’s innings, the team was rapidly moving towards the target.
Iyer told that at that time he wanted to complete the fifth bowling over as soon as possible, so that key bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar could be put on the attack again. He said that when the run rate reaches around 13-14 runs per over, then the batsmen take more risks. In such a situation, one wicket can change the course of the match. The same thing happened after the dismissal of Pakistan’s Ayub and the balance of competition tilted towards India.
Praising Abhishek Tilak, the captain described India’s victory as the effort of the entire team. He praised Abhishek Sharma’s fast start and Tilak Verma’s excellent finishing. In bowling, he also described the contribution of Washington Sundar, Akshar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah as important. Iyer said that in a match like the final, every player has to fulfill his responsibility and the Indian players did so. Now the team is waiting to return to the hotel to celebrate the victory.