Daijiworld Media Network - Nagoya
Nagoya, Oct 1: India continued its medal-winning run at the Asian Games on Thursday, adding medals in compound archery, squash and sailing while securing a place in the men's cricket final against Pakistan.
Indian compound archer Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru won the men's individual bronze medal after defeating Vietnam's Cong Duc Dang 149-144 in the bronze-medal playoff. Ganesh, who had been part of India's gold-winning men's compound team on Wednesday, had earlier lost 144-148 to South Korea's Kim Jong-ho in the semifinal.
The 20-year-old had defeated Chinese Taipei's Chieh-Lun Chen 148-138 in the quarterfinals before making a strong recovery in the bronze-medal contest. He hit 10s with 14 of his 15 arrows and secured his second medal of the Games. India's compound archery campaign ended with four medals — three golds and Ganesh's individual bronze.
India's women's squash team also secured a bronze medal after losing 1-2 to Hong Kong in the semifinal. The result assured India of a podium finish in the women's team event.
In sepaktakraw, India assured itself of at least a bronze medal in the men's quadrant event by progressing to the semifinals. The Indian team remained unbeaten in Group A and defeated Vietnam 2-0 to advance.
India also opened its sailing medal account with silver in the men's skiff event. Manu Francis and Prince Kurisinkal Noble finished second behind China after nine races. The pair's silver added another medal to India's growing tally.
In men's cricket, India defeated Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the semifinal to book a place in the gold-medal match against Pakistan. India posted 169 for seven, with Ishan Kishan scoring an unbeaten 80 off 46 balls and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi contributing 38 on his debut. Sri Lanka were then bowled out for 45 in 9.5 overs, with Jasprit Bumrah taking two early wickets and Abhishek Sharma claiming two wickets.
Pakistan secured the other final berth after defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-shortened semifinal. The India-Pakistan gold-medal match is scheduled for October 3 in Nisshin, Japan.
With the latest medals, India's overall Asian Games tally reached 63, comprising 10 gold, 22 silver and 31 bronze medals.