“Ecstatic”: Shreyas Iyer Hails Team India’s Champion Mentality
Shreyas Iyer celebrates India's thrilling 19-run victory against Pakistan in the 2026 Asian Games cricket final, securing a golden double for the nation.
In a moment of pure sporting euphoria, Indian men's cricket captain Shreyas Iyer expressed his immense pride after leading his squad to a high-stakes 19-run victory against arch-rivals Pakistan. The win, secured during the gold medal clash at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, ensured a historic golden double for India following the success of the women's team.
Overcoming the Rain and Lack of Practice
The road to glory was far from smooth. For nearly a week leading up to the final, torrential rainfall in Japan disrupted the team's preparations, leaving the players with almost no opportunity for formal practice on the field. However, Iyer noted that the squad's refusal to succumb to these circumstances was the true mark of their character.
"If I have to use a word, I would say ecstatic," Iyer remarked during the post-match celebrations. "Since the day we arrived in Japan, it was raining cats and dogs and we couldn't practice for almost a week. But the boys, the way they prepped themselves and also were doing their training on the side, we didn't complain; we didn't give any reasons. That was a sign of a champion team."
A Batting Masterclass Sets the Stage
India's journey to the gold began with a massive offensive display. Batting first, the Indian side posted a formidable total of 211/6 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was ignited by an explosive start from opener Abhishek Sharma, who hammered 61 runs off just 28 deliveries.
The momentum continued as Tilak Varma anchored the innings with a rapid, unbeaten 51 off 22 balls, while Shivam Dube provided crucial late-order fireworks with a brisk 27 from 14 balls. This aggressive approach allowed India to soar past the 200-run mark, setting a daunting target for the Pakistani chase.
Defending the Total: The Turning Point
Pakistan's pursuit of 212 was spearheaded by a magnificent, yet solitary, performance from Hasan Nawaz. Nawaz played the role of a lone warrior, smashing a blistering 96 runs from only 51 balls to keep Pakistan in the hunt.
As the required run rate climbed to between 13 and 14, the pressure intensified. Iyer, managing his bowling resources carefully, identified the critical moment when a breakthrough was needed to shift the momentum. "I just wanted to see that I get that fifth bowler over as soon as possible, finish it off," Iyer explained. "One wicket is going to change the momentum, shift the momentum towards us. And that's what happened."
The crucial breakthrough came when the Indian attack dismantled Pakistan's rhythm. The bowling unit proved clinical, with the following players leading the charge:
- Washington Sundar: 2 wickets
- Axar Patel: 2 wickets
- Shivam Dube: 2 wickets
Despite the onslaught, the match remained tense until the final overs, but India's disciplined bowling ensured they defended their total, securing the gold medal and cementing their dominance in Asian cricket.