Coach Salam Bayash hails Tilma's favorite rival Pakistan in historic final

The Asian Games 2026 cricket final saw India triumph over Pakistan, securing the gold medal with a decisive performance on October 3 in New Delhi. Coach Salam Bayash highlighted the emotional weight of the encounter, stating that Pakistan has always been Tilak Verma’s preferred opponent, a sentiment rooted in his under‑19 days when he first scored a century against them.

Bayash recounted a morning briefing before the match, urging Tilak to attack Pakistan with confidence. The plan worked flawlessly as Tilak delivered an unbeaten 51 runs in just 22 balls, displaying a blend of power and technique.

India’s victory was not a solo act. While Tilak anchored the innings, Abhishek Sharma contributed a steady 61, and Shivam Dubey added valuable runs in the final overs. The team’s collective effort, combined with strategic guidance from coaches like Manish Ojha and Praveen Aamre, culminated in a gold‑medal finish.

Former junior coach Rajkumar Sharma and other mentors sent congratulatory messages, praising the squad’s discipline, unity, and the additional satisfaction of beating a historic rival. The gold medal further enhances India’s standing in the Asian Games and reinforces its cricketing excellence.