Shreyas Iyer hails 'champion team' after India win Asian Games gold

India skipper Shreyas Iyer was delighted after India secured the Gold medal in the men's cricket competition at the Asian Games 2026. India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the final to successfully defend their title and win their second consecutive Asian Games gold medal.

Iyer described himself as "ecstatic" after India's memorable campaign in Japan. The Indian captain also praised the team's attitude after they were unable to train properly during the early stages of their stay due to persistent rain.

"Since the day we arrived in Japan, it was raining cats and dogs, and we couldn't practice for almost a week," Iyer said on the broadcast after the game.

"But the boys, the way they prepped themselves, and also we were doing our training on the side… we didn't complain, we didn't give any reasons [excuses], so that was the sign of a champion team, and today was just the reflection of that."

The weather had caused problems for all four semi-finalists, with Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka all affected by the rain. India, however, had a slight advantage in terms of familiarity with the conditions after playing a five-over-per-side T20I against Japan in Sano before the Asian Games.

India entered the gold-medal match after beating Sri Lanka in the semi-final, while Pakistan defeated Bangladesh to book their place in the final. After being asked to bat first, India posted 211/6, a strong total considering the conditions in Nisshin.

India appeared to be in complete control when Pakistan were reduced to 76/3 after 10 overs. However, Hasan Nawaz kept Pakistan's hopes alive with a stunning 96 off 51 balls.

Iyer admitted that Pakistan had gained momentum during the chase but explained how India planned to get through the overs of their fifth bowler before relying on their main bowling options.

"Well, they were cruising pretty well, and they got that momentum in between. I just wanted to see to it that I get that fifth bowler [out of the way] as soon as possible, finish it off, and then [Jasprit] Bumrah was there, Washy [Washington Sundar] was there," Iyer said.

"The lead bowlers, they wanted to come in as well," he noted.

Pakistan remained firmly in the contest after 14 overs, needing 86 runs from 36 balls with Nawaz and Saim Ayub at the crease. Abdul Samad was still to come, but India's bowlers kept increasing the pressure as the required run rate climbed.

Iyer revealed that India deliberately managed the overs of Pakistan's fifth and sixth bowlers before looking to force a change in momentum through a wicket.

Farhan struck by Bumrah in Asian Games 2026 final

Read More

Farhan struck by Bumrah in Asian Games 2026 final

"I basically paced their [fifth and sixth bowlers'] overs pretty well, that's what I felt, and especially when the run rate is about 13 to 14, we know that the batsmen they are going to take charge, and one wicket is going to change the momentum, shift the momentum towards us. So that's what happened, and that crucial wicket of [Ayub] - I don't remember the name of the batsman - that changed the momentum," said Iyer.

Abhishek, Tilak and bowlers deliver in final

India's Gold medal triumph was built on a collective effort. Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma smashed quick half-centuries to provide the foundation with the bat, while Shivam Dube's 15-ball 27 gave India a strong finish.

With the ball, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Dube picked up two wickets apiece to restrict Pakistan to 192/9 despite Nawaz's brilliant individual effort.

Iyer was particularly pleased with the way different players stepped up at crucial moments during the final.

"When you're playing a final, you want each and every individual to step up and deliver, and that's what we witnessed today. Abhishek giving us that start, and then Tilak basically finishing off the innings… and then in bowling, Washy taking the charge, Axar being himself all the time, and Bumrah, we know what he has got in his armoury. So, yeah, collective effort and overall I would say comprehensive win," he concluded.