Who won the gold medal in men's cricket at the 2023 Asian Games?

Who won the gold medal in men’s cricket at the 2023 Asian Games? originally appeared on Cricket News.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• India head into the men’s cricket event at the Asian Games 2026 as defending champions after their historic 2023 gold in Hangzhou.
• A nervy two-run win over hosts Japan in a warm-up fixture has raised some caution despite India’s direct entry into the quarterfinals.
• India won gold in 2023 via a rain rule after the final against Afghanistan was washed out with the match still in progress.

India enter Asian Games 2026 as defending men’s cricket champions

India arrive at the 2026 Asian Games edition, being staged across Aichi and Nagoya, carrying the tag of defending champions in men’s cricket.

That status alone brings its own pressure, and the men’s side, along with Pakistan, has already been handed a direct pass into the quarterfinals. It’s a nice cushion, but not one that guarantees anything once the knockouts begin.

MORE: Japan almost pulls off cricket’s greatest upset ever vs India

Any talk of India cruising to back-to-back gold medals took a hit after a warm-up outing against Japan turned into an unexpectedly tight affair.

The Men in Blue managed just 32 runs in a rain-curtailed five-over hit-out, with Shreyas Iyer’s 16 the standout contribution before Japan’s bowlers chipped away at the top order.

The hosts came agonisingly close to pulling off a shock before India held on by the barest of margins: just two runs.

MORE: Explained: Why Patel’s second wide in final over vs Japan was reversed

Who won the gold medal in men’s cricket at the 2023 Asian Games?

India won the gold medal in men’s cricket at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. 

India entered at the quarterfinal stage, and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s side made light work of Nepal in the last eight, winning comfortably by 23 runs to book a semi-final spot. From there, things only got easier as India dismantled Bangladesh in the semis. 

The final against Afghanistan, though, didn’t quite go the distance. After India opted to field first, Afghanistan crawled their way to 112 for 5 in 18.2 overs before persistent rain forced play to be called off for good.

With no result possible, organisers turned to the tournament’s seeding rule, awarding the gold medal to India as the higher-ranked side going in. Afghanistan, appearing in their third straight men’s cricket final at the Asian Games, were left to settle for silver once again, while Bangladesh picked up bronze.

MedalTeamGoldIndiaSilverAfghanistanBronzeBangaldesh

MORE: India vs Japan again? India likely quarter-final opponents at Asian Games 2026 cricket explored

Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket schedule and group-stage results

DateGroupMatch detailsSeptember 24 (Thursday)Group AAfghanistan beat Japan by 48 runsSeptember 24 (Thursday)Group BHong Kong China lost to Malaysia by eight wicketsSeptember 25 (Friday)Group BHong Kong China beat Oman by 41 runsSeptember 25 (Friday)Group AAfghanistan lost to Nepal by five wicketsSeptember 26 (Saturday)Group AJapan vs NepalSeptember 26 (Saturday)Group BMalaysia vs OmanSeptember 28 (Monday)Quarter-finalPakistan vs B2September 28 (Monday)Quarter-finalIndia vs A2September 29 (Tuesday)Quarter-finalSri Lanka vs A1September 29 (Tuesday)Quarter-finalBangladesh vs B1October 1 (Thursday)Semi-finalPakistan/B2 vs Bangladesh/B1October 1 (Thursday)Semi-finalIndia/A2 vs Sri Lanka/A1October 3 (Saturday)Bronze medal matchThird-place play-off

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