India trounced Sri Lanka 124 runs to 45 in the Asian Games men's cricket semi at Nisshin, Japan, leaving the defending champions crushed and the gold medal set against Pakistan.
Ishan Kishan’s 80 off 46 and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 38 off 21 helped India post 169‑7, while the Sri Lankan side fell to 45 all out.
The collapse began in the powerplay, when Sri Lanka were 31‑6. Bumrah detonated from the start, taking two wickets in his first over, and Axar followed with another pair, turning the match into a one‑way game.
Bumrah’s one‑over fury was the defining moment, but the bowlers as a whole dismantled the batting lineup, making it the first time India has bowled a side under 50 in a T20I.
After the match, Axar Patel praised the team's resilience, saying they had to adapt after a rain‑hit quarter‑final and a canceled warm‑up. India now looks to the Saturday showdown with Pakistan for the gold.
The bronze‑medal clash will see Sri Lanka face Bangladesh, while the final will decide the Asian Games crown.