[WATCH] Asian Games 2026: Saim Ayub pulls out baby cradle celebration after Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's dismissal

Saim Ayub produced one of the most discussed moments of the 2026 Asian Games men's cricket gold medal final when he dismissed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and immediately followed it with a baby cradle celebration directed at the young Indian opener. The incident occurred on the second ball of the third over at Kōrogi Sports Park, Nisshin, Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on October 3, 2026.

Abhishek Sharma and Sooryavanshi had opened the batting for India after Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan handed the new ball to Ayub. Sooryavanshi made an aggressive start, striking two sixes before attempting a reverse sweep. The delivery turned sharply and bounced outside off stump, catching the under-edge of the bat and lobbing through to keeper Usman Khan. Usman Khan fumbled initially, the ball popping off his chest through a couple of juggles, before he held on to complete the catch.

Sooryavanshi's dismissal in the third over

Sooryavanshi's scorecard entry read 15 runs off nine balls, including those two sixes, caught by Usman Khan off the bowling of Ayub. India were 28 for 1 at the point of the dismissal after 2.1 overs.

After the catch was confirmed, Ayub celebrated with his teammates before turning toward the departing Sooryavanshi and performing the baby cradle gesture, mimicking the act of rocking a baby. The gesture appeared to reference Sooryavanshi's age and quickly became a prominent talking point from the high-profile final.

India won the toss and elected to bat first in the Asian Games 2026 gold medal match against Pakistan at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, on October 3. The Men in Blue, who are defending their gold medal, posted a formidable 211/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Abhishek Sharma led the charge with an explosive 61 off just 28 balls, smashing three fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of 217.86.

Tilak Varma provided the finishing impetus with an unbeaten 51 off 22 deliveries, including three fours and four sixes, striking at an impressive 231.82. For Pakistan, Ahmed Daniyal and Arafat Minhas were the standout bowlers, claiming two wickets each. Daniyal finished with figures of 2/43, while Minhas returned 2/25 as Pakistan face a challenging chase for the gold medal.