Nisshin: Ishan Kishan produced a superb unbeaten 80 off 46 balls to guide India to 169/7 against Sri Lanka in the Asian Games semifinal at Karogi Sports Park on Thursday.
Batting first on a surface offering considerable assistance to spinners, India initially struggled after losing Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson cheaply. However, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi changed the momentum with an attacking 38 off 21 deliveries, including six fours and two sixes.
After Sooryavanshi’s dismissal, Kishan took charge and anchored the innings through the middle overs. He reached his half-century from 33 balls before accelerating late in the innings.
Captain Shreyas Iyer made 13, while Axar Patel, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube failed to make significant contributions. India were 125/6 after 15 overs but finished strongly thanks to Kishan and Washington Sundar.
The pair struck two sixes in the final over, adding 18 runs and taking India to a competitive 169/7.
For Sri Lanka, Sahan Arachchige and Tharindu Ratnayake claimed two wickets each.
India will now look to defend the total and secure a place in the Asian Games final.