Asian Games 2026 | 'We did not get the gold on a platter. We had to really work hard for it...': Sanju Samson

In the Asian Games 2026 final against Pakistan Team India secured a win by 19 runs at the Aichi Prefectural Korogi Sports Park in NisshinSpeaking about the victory Team Indias wicketkeeperbatsman Sanju Samson said that the side had the likes of experienced players He also said that players in the team knew how to keep themselves motivated even when the practice sessions were cancelledWe had a very experienced team Thats where the experience of experienced players comes in We knew how to manage our energy how to keep ourselves motivated and focused even when practices were not happening and matches were not happening he saidHe then expressed satisfaction at winning a gold medal for the nation by saying that the players worked hard for itBringing the A team really helped and thats what happened against Pakistan in the final I think it was a proper game for everyone said SamsonFinally we got to play a good match We scored 200 in the first innings and thought the second innings could be difficult for Pakistan but the wicket was good and they also batted well Everyone got to see a good final We did not get the gold on a platter We had to really work hard for it That makes it all the more satisfying and we are all happy he addedAsian Games 2026 IND vs PAK Match summaryIn an attempt to chase a target of 212 runs Pakistan managed to reach 192 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 oversPakistans opening batsman Maaz Sadaqat departed on 23 runs in 18 balls including three boundaries Captain Sahibzada Farhan scored 10 runs in 11 balls which included a boundaryWicketkeeperbatsman Usman Khan was dismissed on three runs in six balls Hasan Nawaz missed his welldeserved century by just four runs Facing 51 balls Nawaz smashed 96 runs with the help of five boundaries and seven maximums Saim Ayub also managed to accumulate 29 runs in 22 balls including two boundaries and a maximumAbdul Samad departed on nine runs in nine balls including a boundary Saad Masood stayed unbeaten on 12 runs in five balls which included two maximumsTeam Indias Axar Patel Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube bagged two wickets each Jasprit Bumrah Ravi Bishnoi and Abhishek Sharma went wicketless in the Asian Games 2026 final against PakistanEarlier having opted to bat first Team Indias opening batsman Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was dismissed on 15 runs in nine balls including two maximums Fellow opening batsman Abhishek Sharma returned to the pavilion after scoring 61 runs in 28 balls including three boundaries and seven maximums Wicketkeeperbatsman Sanju Samson departed on two runs in four ballsIshan Kishan lost his wicket after scoring 20 runs in 18 balls including three boundaries Skipper Shreyas Iyer was dismissed on 21 runs after facing 24 balls His knock also saw him smash two boundariesTilak Varma garnered an unbeaten 51 runs off just 22 deliveries His knock was laced with three boundaries and four maximums Shivam Dube returned to the pavilion after scoring 27 runs in 15 balls including two boundaries and the same number of maximums Axar Patel stayed unbeaten on one run in one ball With this the Men in Blue posted a total of 211 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 oversPakistans Ahmed Daniyal and Arafat Minhas claimed two wickets each Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed also bagged one wicket each Saad Masood and Sufiyan Muqeem went wicketless in the Asian Games 2026 final against Team IndiaWith PTI Inputs