India's Asian Games 2026 campaign featured a dramatic 4-3 hockey victory over Pakistan, a dominant cricket win over Sri Lanka, and medal performances across wrestling and squash.
India produced a series of high-octane performances across multiple disciplines at the Asian Games 2026, highlighted by dramatic semi-final wins in hockey and cricket. In men's hockey, defending champions India clinched a thrill-packed 4-3 victory over Pakistan to secure a place in the final. Harmanpreet Singh converted penalty corners in the 5th and 13th minutes, followed by a field goal from Sukhjeet Singh in the 23rd minute. With just 45 seconds remaining on the clock, Abhishek struck from field play to seal the win.
In men's cricket, India trounced Sri Lanka by 124 runs to set up a high-voltage final against Pakistan. Sent in to bat, India reached 169 for 7, powered by Ishan Kishan's unbeaten 80 off 46 balls—featuring four boundaries and five sixes—along with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's quickfire 38 off 21 balls. India's bowling attack then bundled Sri Lanka out for just 45 runs in 9.5 overs, with Jasprit Bumrah (2/7), Axar Patel (2/8), and Abhishek Sharma (2/2) leading the charge.
In Greco-Roman wrestling, Nitesh Siwach secured a silver medal after falling 0-4 to Japan's Yuri Nakazato in the final. Meanwhile, the Indian women's and men's squash teams both signed off with bronze medals following 1-2 defeats in their respective semifinals against Hong Kong and Malaysia.
India's shooting contingent concluded its Asian Games campaign with an impressive total of 15 medals, including three golds, after Anish Bhanwala finished seventh in the men's 25m rapid fire pistol final. Elsewhere, golfer Pranavi Sharath Urs delivered a standout performance by firing a 7-under 63 at the Kasugai Country Club East Course, while Indian judoka Inunganbi Takhellambam missed out on a bronze medal in the women's 70kg category after losing to Mongolia's Anujin Uran-Ulzii.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Sport. Photo courtesy The Hindu Sport.