Laxman Lauds Iyer, Praises India’s Adaptability After Asian Games Gold
VVS Laxman praises Shreyas Iyer's leadership and India's adaptability after a thrilling 19-run victory over Pakistan to defend the Asian Games gold.
VVS Laxman, the head coach of the Indian men's cricket team at the Asian Games 2026, has lauded the squad's incredible adaptability and the exceptional leadership of captain Shreyas Iyer following India's triumphant gold medal win in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
India successfully defended their crown by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan by 19 runs in a high-stakes final at the Korogi Sports Park. The victory secured a memorable double for India, as the women's team also clinched gold by defeating Sri Lanka.
Overcoming Challenges in Japan
Speaking via a video released by the BCCI, Laxman highlighted the immense difficulties the squad faced leading up to the final. From unpredictable weather to travel fatigue and limited access to quality practice facilities, the journey was far from smooth.
“Right from the time we came to Japan, we were challenged by weather, travel, lack of good practice sessions and preparation, but not even once did I feel that the team, all the players in the squad, were not eager to get ready for the big match,” Laxman stated. He expressed satisfaction that despite being forced to train indoors, the players maintained high fitness standards and maximized every available opportunity to prepare.
Laxman specifically praised the team's mental toughness, noting their professional approach during both the semi-final and the final. “One thing which I'm really proud of is the adaptability they've shown. Irrespective of the challenging conditions or circumstances, not once were they inflexible in the way they approached both the games,” he added.
Shreyas Iyer: A Leader by Example
A significant highlight of Laxman's praise was directed toward captain Shreyas Iyer. Despite it being the early stages of his captaincy career, Laxman described him as a "player's captain" with a profound tactical mind.
“He makes everyone very comfortable and leads by example, whether with the bat or on the field. Even before the team meetings, he sits down with the plans of the strengths and the weaknesses of the opposition,” Laxman remarked. He emphasized Iyer's thorough preparation and his ability to understand the unique strengths of his teammates to get the best out of them in the fast-paced T20 format.
A Dominant Final Performance
The final was a rollercoaster of emotions. India's batting unit set a formidable target of 211/6 in their 20 overs, powered by:
- Abhishek Sharma: A blistering 61 off just 28 balls.
- Tilak Varma: An unbeaten 51 off 22 balls.
- Shivam Dube: A rapid 27 off 14 deliveries.
Pakistan's chase was anchored by a magnificent 96 off 51 balls from Hasan Nawaz. However, the Indian bowling unit showed immense composure in the death overs. Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube each claimed two crucial wickets to restrict Pakistan to 192/6, ensuring the gold medal returned to India.