The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games concluded in Japan with India securing gold medals in both the men’s and women’s cricket competitions. The achievement gave India a memorable cricket double at the continental sporting event.
India eventually finished fourth in the overall medal standings, collecting 85 medals — 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze. The Games were held across Aichi and Nagoya from September 19 to October 4, 2026.
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Women Begin India’s Golden Run
India’s women’s cricket team secured gold on September 22 after defeating Sri Lanka by 147 runs.
Batting first, India posted an impressive 216/3, with Smriti Mandhana scoring 79 and Richa Ghosh contributing an unbeaten 49. Sri Lanka were then bowled out for just 69 in 15.4 overs.
The victory gave India its second consecutive women’s cricket gold at the Asian Games.
Men Complete The Double
The men’s team completed India’s cricket double on October 3 by defeating Pakistan by 19 runs in the gold-medal match.
India, led by Shreyas Iyer, scored 211/6 in their 20 overs. Abhishek Sharma smashed 61 from 28 balls, while Tilak Varma finished unbeaten on 51 from just 22 deliveries.
Pakistan mounted a strong chase, with Hasan Nawaz scoring 96 from 51 balls, but India held their nerve to restrict Pakistan to 192/6.
A Strong Overall Campaign
The cricket success was only part of India’s performance in Japan.
India collected medals across a wide range of sports, with athletics producing 24 medals, shooting 15 and archery nine. The 85-medal haul became India’s second-highest medal tally in Asian Games history, according to the Indian Olympic Association.
India’s gold-medal successes also extended beyond cricket, with hockey, kabaddi, archery, boxing and shooting among the sports contributing to the country’s medal tally.
Neeru Dhanda Leads India At Closing Ceremony
Trap shooter Neeru Dhanda, who won two gold medals and a silver during the Games, carried India’s flag at the closing ceremony.
She became the first Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games gold medal in trap shooting and was among India’s standout performers in Aichi-Nagoya.
Why This Matters
1. Cricket Double
India won gold in both men’s and women’s cricket, underlining its strong showing in the sport at the Games.
2. 85-Medal Finish
The Indian contingent ended the competition with 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze medals.
3. Wider Sporting Success
India’s medals came from multiple disciplines, including athletics, shooting, archery, boxing, hockey and kabaddi.
4. Japan Chapter Closes
The Aichi-Nagoya Games ended on October 4, with the Asian Games now moving toward Doha 2030.
Final Word
India’s Aichi-Nagoya campaign ended on a golden note, with the men’s and women’s cricket teams both winning Asian Games gold. Combined with medals across a broad range of sports, the 2026 Games delivered one of India’s strongest overall Asian Games campaigns.
