Asian Games: India reach hockey, cricket finals as Nitesh leads medal haul

India enjoyed a packed day at the 2026 Asian Games on October 1, reaching the men’s hockey and cricket finals while adding medals across wrestling, sailing, archery and squash.

Nitesh Siwach produced one of the day’s standout performances by becoming the first Indian Greco-Roman wrestler since 1962 to reach an Asian Games final. The 23-year-old won silver in the men’s 97kg category after losing 0-4 to Japan’s Yuri Nakazato in the final. Mansi Ahlawat finished fourth after losing her women’s 62kg bronze-medal bout.

India also secured silver in sailing, with cousins Manu Francis and Prince Kurisinkal Noble finishing runners-up in the men’s skiff event.

Ganesh Thirumuru added a bronze in the men’s compound individual archery event, while Chikitha Taniparthi’s quarterfinal exit meant India could not defend its women’s compound individual title.

Both Indian squash teams ended their campaigns with bronze medals. The women lost 1-2 to Hong Kong, while the men suffered a 1-2 defeat against Malaysia in their respective semifinals.

The men’s hockey team produced a dramatic comeback victory of its own, beating Pakistan 4-3 in the semifinal. Harmanpreet Singh scored twice and Sukhjeet Singh added another before Pakistan levelled the match from 0-3 down. Abhishek then struck with 49 seconds remaining to send India into the final.

India also stormed into the men’s cricket final after crushing Sri Lanka by 124 runs. Ishan Kishan smashed an unbeaten 80 off 46 balls as India made 169/7 before Sri Lanka were bowled out for 45.

Tennis, however, ended without a medal as Sumit Nagal lost 4-6, 4-6 to China’s Wu Yibing in the men’s quarterfinals, ending India’s 40-year Asian Games medal streak in the sport.

The men’s volleyball team also bowed out after a 0-3 quarterfinal defeat to Pakistan.

In other results, Deepu Gowda exited the sport climbing quarterfinal despite setting a national record of 5.091 seconds in qualifying, while Inunganbi Takhellambam lost her judo bronze-medal bout as India ended its judo campaign without a medal.

Pranavi Urs remained in contention in golf, sitting second at 11-under after two rounds, two shots behind leader Shannon Tan, while India’s women’s team was third.

India’s men’s sepak takraw team reached the semifinals with a 2-0 win over Vietnam, assuring the country of another medal.

Anish Bhanwala finished seventh in the men’s 25m rapid-fire pistol final as India’s shooting campaign ended with 15 medals: three gold, eight silver and four bronze.