![\"\u2018We](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-134671995,imgsize-218480,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/asian-games-2026-ind-vs-sl-2nd-sf.jpg\" "\\"India's")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nIndia\u2019s Asian Games gold medal did not come easily, according to wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson<\/a>, who credited the presence of experienced players for helping the team navigate the pressure of a high-stakes final against Pakistan<\/a>.India beat their arch-rivals by 19 runs on Saturday to successfully defend their men\u2019s cricket gold at the continental showpiece.Samson said the experience within the squad proved crucial, particularly during a tournament where rain had repeatedly disrupted practice and match schedules.\u201cWe had a very experienced team. That\u2019s where the experience of experienced players comes in. We knew how to manage our energy, how to keep ourselves motivated and focused even when practices were not happening and matches were not happening,\u201d Samson said after the match.India opted to send their regular T20 contingent to the Asian Games, and Samson felt having the \u2018A\u2019 team gave them both the quality and composure required for the occasion.\u201cBringing the \u2018A\u2019 team really helped, and that\u2019s what happened against Pakistan in the final. I think it was a proper game for everyone,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n India posted 211 for six after half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma<\/a> and Tilak Varma, but Pakistan refused to let the final become a one-sided contest.Despite India putting up a formidable total, Pakistan made full use of a good batting surface and kept the chase alive deep into the innings, eventually finishing on 192 for six.Samson said the nature of the contest made India\u2019s gold even more rewarding.\u201cFinally, we got to play a good match. We scored 200 in the first innings and thought the second innings could be difficult for Pakistan, but the wicket was good and they also batted well. Everyone got to see a good final.\u201cWe did not get the gold on a platter. We had to really work hard for it. That makes it all the more satisfying, and we are all happy,\u201d he said.Samson acknowledged the significance of an India-Pakistan final on the Asian Games stage, but said the players focused on responding to the demands of the match once play began.\u201cDefinitely, it\u2019s a big occasion and a big opportunity for all of us to represent our country in an Asian Games final.\u201cThat is what happens before and after the game. But once the game starts, we play according to the demands of the match conditions and match situations,\u201d he said.<\/div>\n India’s Abhishek Sharma, right, celebrates with wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, centre, and Tilak Varma (PTI Photo) India\u2019s Asian Games gold medal did not come easily, according to wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, who credited the presence of experienced players for helping the team navigate the pressure of a high-stakes final against Pakistan.India beat their arch-rivals by 19 runs […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32261,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32260","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-31"],"magazineBlocksPostFeaturedMedia":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791102803_asian-games-2026-ind-vs-sl-2nd-sf.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791102803_asian-games-2026-ind-vs-sl-2nd-sf.jpg","medium_large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791102803_asian-games-2026-ind-vs-sl-2nd-sf.jpg","large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791102803_asian-games-2026-ind-vs-sl-2nd-sf.jpg","1536x1536":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791102803_asian-games-2026-ind-vs-sl-2nd-sf.jpg","2048x2048":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791102803_asian-games-2026-ind-vs-sl-2nd-sf.jpg","blogsy-small":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791102803_asian-games-2026-ind-vs-sl-2nd-sf.jpg","blogsy-small-tall":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791102803_asian-games-2026-ind-vs-sl-2nd-sf.jpg","blogsy-small-square":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791102803_asian-games-2026-ind-vs-sl-2nd-sf.jpg","blogsy-small-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791102803_asian-games-2026-ind-vs-sl-2nd-sf.jpg","blogsy-medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791102803_asian-games-2026-ind-vs-sl-2nd-sf.jpg","blogsy-medium-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791102803_asian-games-2026-ind-vs-sl-2nd-sf.jpg","blogsy-large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791102803_asian-games-2026-ind-vs-sl-2nd-sf.jpg","blogsy-wide":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791102803_asian-games-2026-ind-vs-sl-2nd-sf.jpg"},"magazineBlocksPostAuthor":{"name":"admin","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"magazineBlocksPostCommentsNumber":"0","magazineBlocksPostExcerpt":"India’s Abhishek Sharma, right, celebrates with wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, centre, and Tilak Varma (PTI Photo) India\u2019s Asian Games gold medal did not come easily, according to wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, who credited the presence of experienced players for helping the team navigate the pressure of a high-stakes final against Pakistan.India beat their arch-rivals by 19 runs […]","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 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kept India under pressure<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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