Asian Games: Indian men's cricket team clinches gold following washout
Indian cricket team has clinched the gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou after the final against Afghanistan was washed out. India, being the higher-seeded team finished with the gold medal while Afghanistan bagged silver. This is the first time, India have fielded the men's and women's team in the Asian Games and both teams have returned with gold medals.
How did Afghanistan fare in 18.2 overs?
Afghanistan were asked to bat first after India won the toss and Afghanistan's top order of Zubaid Akbari, Mohammad Shahzad and Noor Ali Zadran were dismissed for single-digit scores. Later, Shahidullah batted brilliantly with Gulbadin Naib and they added 60 runs together. They took Afghanistan to 112/5 in 18.2 overs before the match was washed out. Ravi Bishnoi finished with 1/12 from four overs.
Kushal Malla finished as the highest run-scorer
Nepal's Kushal Malla has scored the most runs in the 2023 Asian Games. The dasher has returned with 213 runs from three matches. He slammed the fastest-ever T20I hundred. Yashasvi Jaiswal was India's highest scorer in the tournament with 100 runs. He became the youngest Indian to slam a T20I hundred. Malaysia's Syed Aziz with 185 runs was the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament.
Abinash Bohara finished as the highest wicket-taker
Abinash Bohara of Nepal has claimed eight wickets in three matches. He finished as the highest wicket-taker at the 2023 Asian Games. Hong Kong's Ayush Shukla was in second position with seven wickets. Bishnoi has been India's most successful bowler with five scalps at 12.40. Meanwhile, Sai Kishore and Arshdeep Singh scalped four wickets each in the historic Asian Games campaign.
Second multi-sport event for the Indian men's cricket team
As mentioned, this is the first time India fielded their team in the Asian Games. However, they had previously featured in the 1998 Commonwealth Games where Ajay Jadeja led the men's cricket team. India were in Group B along with Australia, Antigua & Barbuda and Canada. They failed to qualify for the semi-finals after finishing second in the group behind Australia.
Indian women's cricket team also bagged gold at the Asiad
Indian women's cricket team led by Harmanpreet Kaur clinched the gold medal in their inaugural Asian Games. INDW defeated Sri Lanka by 19 runs in the final. India could only manage 116/7 against SL in a low-scoring affair. In reply, the bowlers stepped up and restricted SL to only 97/8. Titas Sadhu claimed 3/6 from her four overs (1 maiden over).
