India secured a second consecutive Asian Games gold medal in the T20 format by defeating Pakistan, yet their senior One Day International (ODI) team could not complete a 3-0 series whitewash over the West Indies on the same day, as Shai Hope’s unbeaten 162 powered the visitors to a record-breaking chase of 352 runs. In the Asian Games final held in Japan, the Indian side posted a formidable total of 211 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was anchored by a rapid 61 off just 28 balls from Abhishek Sharma, a steady 51 not out off 22 balls contributed by Tilak Varma, and a quickfire 27 off 15 balls from Shivam Dube. Pakistan’s reply crumbled early, sliding to 39 for 3, and despite a valiant 96‑off‑51‑ball effort from Hasan Nawaz, they could only muster 192 for 6, falling 19 runs short.
This victory marked India’s seventh straight win over their arch‑rivals Pakistan in T20 internationals and their 14th triumph in the 18 encounters the two nations have contested in this format. Meanwhile, in New Chandigarh, the Indian ODI lineup saw their imposing 351‑7 total eclipsed by the West Indies with just ten deliveries remaining. Captain Shai Hope, who was also opening the batting after keeping wickets for the first 50 overs, smashed his 21st ODI century – his second in as many matches – to steer the Caribbean side to a five‑wicket victory after earlier defeats in Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati.
Hope’s 162‑run knock came off 143 balls and featured 17 fours and three sixes. The innings climaxed with a powerful sweep over deep fine leg off spinner Naman Dhir that tied the scores, followed by a decisive single to long‑off that clinched the win. A contentious moment arose when Sherfane Rutherford was given out caught behind off Dhir for 24. The on‑field decision was upheld after a review, even though the West Indian batsman argued that the sound on the Snicko sensor was produced by his bat striking his pad rather than the ball.
Rutherford’s dismissal left West Indies at 206 for 3 after 30 overs, but Hope continued to dominate, forming half‑century partnerships with Keemo Paul (44) and Gudakesh Motie (19) after an earlier 109‑run stand with Amir Jangoo (67). India’s innings, which had stumbled to 4 for 2 early on, was rebuilt around a commanding 129 not out off 87 balls by KL Rahul, a brisk 92 from Rohit Sharma off 85 deliveries, and a supportive 57 off 69 balls from Ruturaj Gaikwad. The top order, however, could not hold up against the West Indian attack.
Shubman Gill, who had previously scored an unbeaten 223 in the second ODI of the series to help India chase down 406, was dismissed for a single, while Virat Kohli fell for a golden duck. Both wickets fell to fast bowler Jayden Seales in the third over – Seales bowled Kohli by flattening his middle stump, and shortly after, Gill edged a delivery that was caught by Hope in a spectacular one‑handed dive. Looking ahead, the two sides will contest a five‑match T20 series beginning in Lucknow on Tuesday. India will bolster its squad for the series with the inclusion of Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shreyas Iyer and the 15‑year‑old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who are set to join the contingent that celebrated the Asian Games triumph.
Cricket has featured in every edition of the Asian Games since its debut in 2010, with the exception of the 2018 Games in Indonesia. India made an immediate impact by winning gold at their first appearance in the 2022 Games in China, and they have now replicated that success on Japanese soil.
The next Asian Games are scheduled to be hosted by Qatar in November 2030, promising another opportunity for the sport to showcase its growing popularity across the continent.