Asian Games: India Crush Sri Lanka By 124 Runs To Reach Men’s Cricket Final

Defending champions India stormed into the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games. They thrashed Sri Lanka by 124 runs at Karogi Sports Park on Thursday.

India will now face Pakistan in a high-profile final. Pakistan defeated Bangladesh in the other semi-final.

Chasing 170, Sri Lanka suffered an early collapse. Jasprit Bumrah struck twice in his opening over. He dismissed Sineth Jayawardena and wicketkeeper-batter Sohan de Livera for ducks.

Ravi Bishnoi then produced a sharp throw to run out Lasith Croospulle. Sri Lanka slipped to 2-3 after just seven deliveries.

Axar Patel continued India’s assault. He claimed two wickets in the fourth over. Sri Lanka ended the over at 18/5.

Axar and Sanju Samson combined to run out Nuwanidu Fernando. Washington Sundar then removed Wanuja Sahan.

Skipper Shreyas Iyer introduced Abhishek Sharma into the attack. The move paid off. The left-arm spinner took two wickets in two deliveries. Chamika Karunaratne was run out before Sharma dismissed Binura Fernando.

Sri Lanka folded for 45 in only 9.5 overs. Nuwanidu Fernando top-scored with 15. No other batter reached double figures.

Earlier, India posted 169/7 in 20 overs. Ishan Kishan anchored the innings with an unbeaten 80 from 46 balls. He struck five sixes and four boundaries.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi contributed 38. Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson scored seven each. Shreyas Iyer made 13.

Brief Scores: India 169/7 (Ishan Kishan 80 not out, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 38) beat Sri Lanka 45 all out (Nuwanidu Fernando 15) by 124 runs.

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