India’s mixed day at Asian Games as hockey, cricket teams reach finals

Aichi-Nagoya: India enjoyed contrasting fortunes in team sports at the Asian Games on October 1, with the men’s hockey and cricket teams advancing to their respective gold-medal matches, while the volleyball and men’s squash teams suffered quarterfinal and semifinal-stage defeats respectively. India also added six confirmed medals to its tally during an action-packed day in Aichi-Nagoya.

India men’s hockey team produced one of the day’s biggest results, edging Pakistan 4-3 in a thrilling semifinal to book its place in the gold-medal match. Harmanpreet Singh struck twice while Sukhjeet Singh and Abhishek also found the net for India. Pakistan fought back from 0-3 down to level the contest at 3-3, but Abhishek delivered the decisive blow with just 45 seconds remaining. The defending champions thus stayed on course for another Asian Games hockey title. India will face Malaysia, who beat South Korea 2-1.

The India men’s cricket team also advanced to the final with a commanding 124-run victory over Sri Lanka. After being sent in, India posted 169/7, with Ishan Kishan anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 80 off 46 balls. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added a brisk 38 on debut. The bowlers then dismantled the Sri Lankan batting line-up, bowling the island nation out for just 45 in 9.5 overs. Jasprit Bumrah made early inroads, while Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi and Abhishek Sharma contributed to the rout. India will face Pakistan in the gold-medal match. Pakistan beat Bangladesh by six wickets.

The men’s volleyball campaign, however, ended in the quarterfinals as Pakistan defeated India 3-0. Pakistan outplayed India 25-19, 25-23, 25-18.

There was a similar disappointment in squash, although India secured a bronze medal. The defending champion men’s team lost 1-2 to Malaysia in the semifinal. Abhay Singh went down 0-3 to Eain Yow Ng before Veer Chotrani levelled the tie with a straight-games win over Sanjay Jeeva. In the deciding rubber, Velavan Senthilkumar won the opening game but eventually lost 1-3 to Ameeshenraj Chandaran, sending Malaysia into the final and India to bronze.

India’s medal haul also grew through several individual and team performances. Manu Francis and Prince Noble Kurisinkal won silver in the men’s skiff sailing event, giving India its first sailing medal at these Games. Wrestler Nitesh Siwach added silver in the men’s Greco-Roman 97kg category, while Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru won bronze in individual compound archery. The women’s squash team also secured bronze after losing 1-2 to Hong Kong.

(The report has been written with the help of AI)

Tags : Hockey, Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya, Cricket, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan, Harmanpreet Singh