“By far the best team”: BCCI President Mithun Manhas after India’s Asian Games gold
BCCI President Mithun Manhas hails the Indian men's cricket team after their historic gold medal victory against Pakistan at the 2026 Asian Games.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Mithun Manhas has lauded the Indian men's cricket team for their spectacular gold medal triumph at the 2026 Asian Games. In a high-octane final, India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan by 19 runs, securing a historic double gold for the nation following the success of the women's team.
A Dominant Performance in the Final
Speaking to reporters after the victory, Manhas described the squad as the finest side of the entire tournament. He specifically highlighted the players' ability to remain composed during the intense pressure of the gold medal clash.
"They are by far the best team of the tournament; we have won this title nine times before and are the defending champions. The performance they have displayed this time is truly praiseworthy," Manhas stated.
Manhas noted that while the competitive gap with Pakistan might not be what it once was, the Indian team's capacity to handle high-pressure situations remains unmatched. He also extended his gratitude to Jay Shah, noting his pivotal role in the development of both the men's and women's cricket structures.
Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Verma Lead the Charge
After winning the toss, India elected to bat first, setting a formidable target. The innings was ignited by an explosive knock from Abhishek Sharma, who smashed 61 runs off just 28 deliveries, including seven sixes and three fours. While Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provided a quick-fire 15, the middle order ensured the momentum stayed with India.
Key contributions included:
- Abhishek Sharma: 61 (28)
- Tilak Verma: 51* (22) - featuring three fours and four sixes
- Ishan Kishan: 20
- Shreyas Iyer: 21
- Shivam Dube: 27* (15)
A crucial 62-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Tilak Verma and Shivam Dube propelled India to a total of 211/6.
Pakistan's Fightback Falls Short
Pakistan's chase began shakily, dropping to 39/3. However, Hasan Nawaz played a brilliant innings, scoring 96 runs from 51 balls, including seven sixes, to keep the contest alive. Despite his heroics, the Indian bowling attack proved too strong. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar delivered exceptional spells, while Shivam Dube claimed two wickets, restricting Pakistan to 192/6.
Overcoming Weather and Facility Challenges
Stand-in coach VVS Laxman expressed immense pride in the team for securing back-to-back gold medals following the 2022 Hangzhou games. He revealed that the team had to overcome significant logistical hurdles, including persistent rain and limited access to practice grounds.
"We hardly had any practice sessions, hardly had any preparation, and we also know that the practice facilities here—however limited they were—because of the weather, we were not able to access the ground," Laxman explained.
Laxman credited the players' mental toughness, noting that they remained "switched on" through indoor sessions in Tokyo and hotel training. He emphasized that the ability to maintain intensity despite challenging conditions is what defines athletes at the highest level of international competition.