Sport · India Bureau
India's Asian Games cricket gold was hard-earned, says Samson
Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson credited India's experienced squad composition for their 19-run victory over Pakistan in the men's cricket final at the Asian Games, emphasising the team's composure under pressure rather than any easy path to gold.
LSN India ·
India's championship-winning cricket squad demonstrated the value of experience in high-pressure situations, according to Samson, following their continental gold medal triumph against Pakistan on Saturday.
"We had a very experienced team. That's 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," Samson said in the post-match assessment.
The Indian selectors' decision to field their primary T20 roster proved instrumental in securing the title. The squad's familiarity with high-stakes cricket enabled them to navigate the pressures of a fiercely contested final against their arch-rivals. "Bringing the 'A' team really helped, and that's what happened against Pakistan in the final. I think it was a proper game for everyone," Samson noted.
India reached 211 for six in their innings, with half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma providing the foundation for their commanding total. The performance underscored how seasoned players' ability to maintain focus and energy levels can determine outcomes in elite cricket competitions.