India vs Sri Lanka Playing XI: India are taking on Sri Lanka in the second semi-final of the men's cricket competition at the Asian Games 2026 on Thursday, October 1.
The match is being played at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan, with the winner advancing to the gold-medal match. India entered the semi-finals after their quarter-final against Afghanistan was abandoned because of rain, while Sri Lanka also progressed after their quarter-final against Nepal was washed out. Both teams advanced based on their ICC T20I rankings.
India vs Sri Lanka: Toss Update
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first against India in the second semi-final.
India have made an interesting selection call, handing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his Asian Games debut. The 15-year-old is included alongside Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson in India's top three.
India Playing XI vs Sri Lanka
No. | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
1 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Batter |
2 | Abhishek Sharma | All-rounder |
3 | Sanju Samson (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
4 | Batter | |
5 | Ishan Kishan | Batter |
6 | Tilak Varma | Batter |
7 | Shivam Dube | All-rounder |
8 | Axar Patel | All-rounder |
9 | Washington Sundar | All-rounder |
10 | Ravi Bishnoi | Spinner |
11 | Jasprit Bumrah | Fast Bowler |
The confirmed XI includes only Jasprit Bumrah as the specialist frontline fast bowler, with Shivam Dube providing another pace option. India have also gone with three spin options in Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Makes Asian Games Debut
One of the biggest talking points is the inclusion of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The teenage left-hander gets his first opportunity to represent India at the Asian Games after the quarter-final against Afghanistan was washed out without a ball being bowled.
Sooryavanshi joins Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson at the top of the order, giving India an attacking opening combination for the semi-final.
Arshdeep Singh Left Out
India have left Arshdeep Singh out of the confirmed XI despite his inclusion in the original Asian Games squad.
With Arshdeep omitted, India are relying heavily on Bumrah for their specialist pace duties, while Shivam Dube adds another seam-bowling option. The remaining bowling combination is built around Axar, Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi.
Sri Lanka Playing XI vs India
Sri Lanka have also confirmed their playing XI for the semi-final.
Sri Lanka XI:
Lasith Croospulle
Sineth Jayawardena
Sohan de Livera (WK)
Ashen Bandara
Sahan Arachchige (C)
Nuwanidu Fernando
Chamika Karunaratne
Wanuja Sahan
Vijayakanth Viyaskanth
Tharindu Ratnayake
Binura Fernando
Sahan Arachchige is leading Sri Lanka, while Sohan de Livera will take responsibility behind the stumps.
India vs Sri Lanka Semi-Final Match Details
Details | Information |
|---|---|
Match | India vs Sri Lanka |
Competition | Asian Games 2026 |
Stage | 2nd Semi-Final |
Date | October 1, 2026 |
Venue | Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, Japan |
India Captain | Shreyas Iyer |
Sri Lanka Captain | Sahan Arachchige |
Toss | Sri Lanka won and elected to bowl |
The scheduled start time is 10:00 AM IST, with the match taking place at 1:30 PM local time in Japan.
What to Watch in India vs Sri Lanka
The semi-final is India's first completed competitive match of the men's Asian Games campaign after rain prevented the quarter-final from taking place.
All four men's quarter-finals were abandoned, allowing the higher-ranked teams to advance to the semi-finals. India and Sri Lanka will therefore be playing their first match of the tournament in this knockout fixture.
For India, the spotlight will be on the new-look top order featuring Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, while Bumrah leads the pace attack.
The winner will advance to the gold-medal final, while the losing team will play for the bronze medal.
India vs Sri Lanka Confirmed Playing XI: Final
India: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Shreyas Iyer (C), Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah.
Sri Lanka: Lasith Croospulle, Sineth Jayawardena, Sohan de Livera (WK), Ashen Bandara, Sahan Arachchige (C), Nuwanidu Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanuja Sahan, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Tharindu Ratnayake, Binura Fernando.
Conclusion
India have confirmed an attacking combination for their Asian Games 2026 semi-final against Sri Lanka, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi making his debut and joining Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson in the top three.
Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl first, setting up an important knockout contest at Korogi Sports Park. The winner will move into the gold-medal match, while the losing side will compete for bronze.
