India ended their Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket campaign with another gold medal after defeating Pakistan by 19 runs in a thrilling final. The Shreyas Iyer-led side first defeated Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the semi-final before overcoming their arch-rivals in the summit clash.
While India’s batting unit produced several memorable performances, the bowling attack also played a crucial role in the team’s unbeaten campaign. India bowled Sri Lanka out for just 45 in the semi-final before successfully defending 211 against Pakistan in the final.
Among India’s bowlers, Axar Patel finished with the most wickets, while Washington Sundar and three other bowlers were also prominent contributors.
Here are top 3 wicket-takers for India in Asian Games 2026:
1. Axar Patel – 4 wickets
Axar Patel finished as India’s leading wicket-taker at the Asian Games 2026, claiming four wickets across the semi-final and gold-medal match.
The left-arm spinner was outstanding against Sri Lanka in the semi-final. He bowled three overs and conceded only eight runs while picking up two wickets. Axar removed Sri Lankan captain Sahan Arachchige and Ashen Bandara in the fourth over, leaving the opposition five wickets down for just 18 runs.
His economical spell was a major reason behind Sri Lanka’s dramatic collapse. India eventually dismissed them for only 45 in 9.5 overs, registering a 124-run victory.
Axar then produced another effective performance in the final against Pakistan. He claimed 2/29 from his four overs, removing key batters during Pakistan’s chase of 212.
The all-rounder’s ability to bowl economically while consistently creating wicket-taking opportunities made him one of India’s most valuable performers throughout the tournament.
With four wickets in two matches, Axar finished at the top of India’s bowling charts.
2. Washington Sundar – 3 wickets
Washington Sundar was another important contributor with the ball, finishing the tournament with three wickets.
He picked up one wicket in India’s demolition of Sri Lanka, dismissing Wanuja Sahan after conceding 18 runs from his three overs. He also contributed with the bat, scoring an unbeaten seven from just three deliveries as India reached 169/7.
Sundar saved his best bowling contribution for the gold-medal match against Pakistan.
The off-spinner claimed two wickets for 29 runs from his four overs as India defended their 211-run total. His wickets included an important dismissal of Saim Ayub, while he also played a role in controlling the scoring rate during Pakistan’s chase.
Sundar’s spell became particularly important as Pakistan threatened to take the game deep. Hasan Nawaz smashed 96 from 51 balls, but India’s spinners continued to create breakthroughs and prevented the chase from completely slipping away.
The final figures of 2/29 gave Sundar three wickets for the tournament and highlighted his value as a reliable middle-overs option.
3. Jasprit Bumrah – 2 wickets
Jasprit Bumrah finished with two wickets, but his impact was considerably greater than the number suggests.
The premier Indian pacer produced a sensational opening over against Sri Lanka in the semi-final. Bumrah dismissed Sineth Jayawardena and Sohan de Livera from his first over, leaving Sri Lanka in serious trouble immediately. He completed the spell with figures of 2/7 from two overs.
Those early breakthroughs established the tone for India’s dominant bowling performance. Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 45, with Bumrah’s opening burst setting the foundation for the collapse.
Bumrah also featured in the final against Pakistan and remained economical, although he did not add to his wicket tally. With Pakistan chasing 212, India’s spinners and seam-bowling all-rounders shared the majority of the wickets.
Despite finishing with only two wickets, Bumrah’s experience and ability to strike with the new ball remained an important part of India’s bowling attack.
India’s leading wicket-takers
Bowler | Wickets | Best figures |
Axar Patel | 4 | 2/8 |
Washington Sundar | 3 | 2/29 |
Jasprit Bumrah | 2 | 2/7 |
Abhishek Sharma and Shivam Dube also finished with two wickets each. Abhishek claimed 2/2 from just five deliveries against Sri Lanka, while Dube took 2/33 in the final against Pakistan.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.