Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya praised the Indian men’s cricket team as the “Champions of Asia!” following their 19-run win against Pakistan in the gold medal match at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on October 3.
Sharing a video of India’s decisive moments on X, Mandaviya highlighted the team’s effort as they defended a total of 211 for six to restrict Pakistan to 192 for six, securing the gold medal.
BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla also congratulated the team and support staff on X, emphasising the collective effort and commending Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma for their outstanding performances. Shukla wrote: “Congratulations to Team India on winning the Gold Medal at the Asian Games! A fantastic team effort to defeat Pakistan in the final. Congratulations to the entire team and support staff. Great performances by @IamAbhiSharma7 and @TilakV9. Well played, Team India! @BCCI”
India’s victory in the men’s event completed a double gold for the country in cricket, following the women’s team’s earlier triumph over Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the women’s final.
Batting first after winning the toss, India posted a competitive total of 211 for six, propelled by quickfire half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma. Sharma scored 61 off 28 balls, including seven sixes and three fours, while Varma finished unbeaten on 51 from 22 balls, hitting four sixes and three fours.
India reached 81 for two in the powerplay, marking their highest powerplay score against Pakistan in T20 cricket, before Sharma was dismissed by Arafat Minhas in the eighth over. Tilak then dominated the death overs, reaching his half-century off 21 balls to push India over the 200-run mark. Shivam Dube contributed 27 runs from 15 balls.
Pakistan’s chase began poorly as Washington Sundar and Axar Patel reduced them to 39 for three within seven overs. Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz staged a recovery with an 87-run partnership, but Shivam Dube dismissed Ayub for 29 off 22 balls in the 15th over.
Hasan Nawaz played a remarkable innings of 96 runs from 51 balls, hitting five fours and seven sixes to keep Pakistan in contention. However, India maintained control in the closing overs. Washington Sundar finished with two wickets for 29 runs, while Axar Patel and Shivam Dube took two wickets each as Pakistan ended on 192 for six in 20 overs.
The victory secured India its 81st medal at the Asian Games, including 19 gold, 26 silver and 36 bronze medals.