“A day of celebration…”: Malini Awasthi hails India’s Asian Games gold win over Pakistan
Folk singer Malini Awasthi celebrates India's thrilling cricket gold medal win against Pakistan at the 2026 Asian Games, praising Bihar's Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Renowned folk singer Malini Awasthi has expressed immense joy following India's spectacular victory in the men's cricket final at the 2026 Asian Games. The triumph was made even sweeter as the Indian squad secured the gold medal by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan in a high-stakes encounter.
A victory to remember
Speaking to the media, Awasthi described the moment as a "day of celebration." She highlighted that while the victory itself was magnificent, the fact that it came against Pakistan added a special layer of delight to the achievement. She lauded the collective effort of the entire squad, noting that every player played a crucial role in securing the championship.
"India has won; it is a day of celebration, and the most delightful aspect is that the victory came after defeating Pakistan," Awasthi remarked enthusiastically.
Pride for Bihar
The singer, speaking from Patna, took a moment to specifically acknowledge the contribution of Bihar's very own cricketer, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. As a member of the gold-winning squad, Sooryavanshi's inclusion brought a sense of local pride to the region.
Awasthi praised the young cricketer's talent, stating that his performance was a vital component of the team's success. She also extended her heartfelt congratulations to his parents for their role in nurturing such a talented athlete. "I am currently standing on the soil of Patna, and Bihar’s own Vaibhav is part of this team; his talent has contributed to this success," she said.
Match Highlights: India defends the crown
The men's T20 cricket final was a high-octane battle that saw India successfully retain their Asian Games gold medal. India posted a formidable total of 211/6, powered by explosive batting performances:
- Abhishek Sharma: Scored a blistering 61 runs off just 28 balls.
- Tilak Varma: Remained unbeaten with a rapid 51 off 22 balls.
In response, Pakistan fought hard but fell short, managing 192/6. Despite a valiant 96 runs from Hasan Nawaz off 51 deliveries, the Pakistani side could not overcome the Indian total, losing by 19 runs.
A Golden Double for India
The men's victory completed a prestigious gold-medal double for India in cricket at the 2026 Asian Games. Earlier in the tournament, the Indian women's team had also secured their title by defeating Sri Lanka by a massive 147 runs in the women's T20 final.
The 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, concluded on October 4 with India showcasing incredible athletic prowess. The Indian contingent, consisting of approximately 500 athletes, finished with an impressive overall tally of 85 medals, broken down as follows:
- Gold: 21
- Silver: 27
- Bronze: 37