Why is Ishan Kishan not batting at three for IND vs PAK in Asian Games 2026 final?
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Ishan Kishan scored 80 runs off 46 deliveries against Sri Lanka in the Asian Games 2026 semifinals.
The Indian Cricket Team is currently facing arch-rivals Pakistan in the final of the Asian Games 2026 in Japan. The Men in Blue started their journey in Japan with a one-off game against the hosts in the Suzuki Cup. The match went close as India secured a two-run victory.
However, since then, the two-time T20 World Cup defending champions have delivered improved performances. India’s quarterfinal fixture in the men’s cricket event was scheduled for September 28 against Afghanistan; however, the game was washed out, and the Men in Blue advanced courtesy of their seeding.
In their last game, Shreyas Iyer and co. put up a strong bowling display against Sri Lanka in the semi-finals. Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Abhishek Sharma took two wickets each against the Sri Lanka, while Ishan Kishan played a magnificent, unbeaten 80-run innings.
However, despite the 28-year-old’s spectator-run scoring display, he has not been promoted to the batting line-up in the final against Pakistan. That has left the Indian fans wondering about the reason behind the side’s decision.
Why didn’t Ishan Kishan bat at three for IND vs PAK in the Asian Games 2026 final?
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Ishan Kishan is not batting at three in the Indian team’s batting lineup because the Men in Blue have decided to continue with an unchanged squad from the semi-finals.
With Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s inclusion in the team, Sanju Samson has shifted to number three, while India captain Shreyas Iyer continues to play the fourth position. Courtesy of this, Ishan Kishan will bat at the fifth spot against Pakistan in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket summit clash.
Last edition’s defending champions, India, have already secured a medal at the Aichi-Nagoya games; however, they would want the medal’s colour to be the same as the last time. The Indian women’s cricket team have already defended their gold medal in Japan.
Which team did India beat in the semifinals of the Asian Games 2026?
The Men in Blue defeated Sri Lanka in the final four fixture.
Where is the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final being played?
The summit clash is being played at the Aichi Prefectural Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, Japan.
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