Indian men's cricket team returns home after Asian Games gold at Aichi-Nagoya
The Indian men's cricket team has arrived in New Delhi after securing a historic gold medal by defeating Pakistan in the Asian Games final.
The triumphant Indian men's cricket team has arrived back in India following a spectacular gold medal victory at the recently concluded Asian Games. The victorious squad, including star players like Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, and Arshdeep Singh, was spotted arriving at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, greeted by the prestige of their continental achievement.
A thrilling victory over Pakistan
The road to gold was paved with a high-octane final against arch-rivals Pakistan. After winning the toss, India chose to bat first, setting the stage for an explosive innings. While Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provided a quick-fire 15 off nine balls, it was Abhishek Sharma who truly ignited the scoreboard, smashing a blistering 61 runs from just 28 deliveries, including seven sixes.
Despite the early momentum shifts, Ishan Kishan (20) and skipper Shreyas Iyer (21) stabilized the innings, providing a platform for the middle order to flourish. Tilak Varma played a masterful unbeaten knock of 51* from 22 balls, while Shivam Dube contributed a rapid 27*. A crucial 62-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Tilak and Dube propelled India to a formidable total of 211/6.
Pakistan's chase falls short
In response, Pakistan's chase faltered early, slipping to 39/3. Although Hasan Nawaz mounted a valiant fight with a magnificent 96 in 51 balls, the Indian bowling unit remained disciplined. Axar Patel and Washington delivered sensational spells to stifle the chase, while Shivam Dube chipped in with two vital wickets. India ultimately restricted Pakistan to 192/6, securing a 19-run victory and the gold medal.
India's historic team sports clean sweep
The cricket gold was part of a larger, historic success for India in the team sports category. India achieved a remarkable clean sweep, winning gold in every team event they entered:
- Cricket: A golden double for the nation, following the women's team's emphatic 147-run victory over Sri Lanka.
- Kabaddi: The women's team successfully defended their title by defeating Iran 37-34, while the men's team also overcame Iran 40-34 to secure gold.
- Hockey: In a historic feat, both the men's and women's hockey teams won gold. The women's team ended a 44-year wait by defeating China 1-0, while the men's team secured a 5-1 victory over Malaysia. This achievement also guaranteed qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics for both squads.
Overall Asian Games standings
In the overall medal tally, China dominated the games with 341 medals, including 169 golds. Japan finished second with 269 medals, and South Korea took third with 150 medals. India concluded the games with a total of 85 medals, including 21 gold, 27 silver, and 37 bronze, marking a campaign defined by landmark achievements in team disciplines.