Asian Games: India crush Sri Lanka by 124 runs, enter men's cricket final

Nisshin: Defending champions India stormed into the men's cricket final at the Asian Games after thrashing Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the semifinal at Karogi Sports Park here on Thursday.

India, who posted 169/7 after being asked to bat first, bundled out Sri Lanka for just 45 in 9.5 overs to set up a high-profile final against Pakistan, who defeated Bangladesh in the other semifinal.

Chasing 170, Sri Lanka's innings fell apart from the outset as India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah struck twice in the opening over. Sineth Jayawardena and wicketkeeper-batter Sohan de Livera were both dismissed for ducks.

In the following over, Ravi Bishnoi's sharp throw resulted in the run-out of opener Lasith Croospulle, leaving the Sahan Arachchige-led side reeling at 2/3 after just seven deliveries.

India continued their domination as Axar Patel struck twice in the fourth over to reduce Sri Lanka to 18/5.

Axar and Sanju Samson then combined to run out Nuwanidu Fernando, while Washington Sundar dismissed Wanuja Sahan as Sri Lanka's batting collapse continued.

With victory firmly in sight, India captain Shreyas Iyer introduced Abhishek Sharma into the attack, and the move paid off immediately. The left-arm orthodox spinner claimed two wickets in two balls, dismissing Chamika Karunaratne and Binura Fernando after Karunaratne had been run out.

Sri Lanka were bowled out in just 9.5 overs, with Nuwanidu Fernando's 15 the only score in double figures. The rest of the batting order failed to offer any resistance as India completed a comprehensive victory.

Earlier, India posted 169/7 in their allotted 20 overs, with Ishan Kishan anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 80 off 46 balls on a challenging pitch.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi returned to the playing XI and opened the innings, holding one end together as fellow opener Abhishek Sharma and wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson departed cheaply for identical scores of seven.

Captain Shreyas Iyer also failed to make a significant contribution, scoring 13 off 13 balls before being dismissed by Wanuja Sahan.

Coming in at No. 5, Ishan steadied the innings and continued to accumulate runs, striking five sixes and four boundaries during his unbeaten knock to help India post a defendable total.

India, the defending champions at the Games, will now face Pakistan in the final as they look to retain their title for a second consecutive edition.

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Brief scores: India 169/7 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 80 not out, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 38; Sahan Arachchige 2/28, Tharindu Ratnayake 2/32) beat Sri Lanka 45 all out in 9.5 overs (Nuwanidu Fernando 15; Abhishek Sharma 2/2, Jasprit Bumrah 2/7, Axar Patel 2/8) by 124 runs.

With IANS inputs