India will face Sri Lanka in the men’s cricket semi-final at the Asian Games 2026 on 1 October. India reached the last four after rain washed out their quarter-final against Afghanistan, while Sri Lanka also advanced after their quarter-final against Nepal was abandoned. With several established T20I players in India’s squad, Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan could have important roles in the semi-final. Here are three Indian players to watch against Sri Lanka.
Tilak Varma
The number-8 T20I batter Tilak Varma has become an important part of India’s T20I middle order and is also the vice-captain of the Asian Games squad. The left-handed batter can play according to the match situation and has shown that he can accelerate when required.
His recent T20I numbers include some strong performances. Tilak scored 55 against Ireland and later made 24 not out and 53 against England. He also produced an unbeaten 60 from 29 balls against Zimbabwe, showing his ability to score quickly in the middle order.
His recent Afghanistan series was quieter, with scores of 3 not out, 15 not out and 2. He then made 1 not out from three balls against Japan in India’s shortened five-over match on 22 September.
Tilak could have an important role against Sri Lanka if India loses an early wicket. His ability to rotate the strike and attack spin can help India maintain their scoring rate during the middle overs.
Also Read: Top 5 Richest Cricketers in India 2024 – Discover Who Holds the 2nd and 3rd Spots!”
Abhishek Sharma
The left-handed batter Abhishek Sharma enters the semi-final after an impressive T20I series against Afghanistan. The left-handed opener scored 82 from 32 balls in the first match, followed by 39 from 19 balls in the second.
He then produced one of the best innings of his T20I career in the third match. Abhishek smashed 108 from 34 balls, including nine fours and 11 sixes. He reached his century from just 30 balls.
His three-match Afghanistan series ended with 229 runs at an average of 76.33 and a strike rate of 269.41. He also hit 22 sixes during the series and was named Player of the Series.
The second-placed T20I batter Abhishek also contributes with his left-arm spin. He took 3-17 against Zimbabwe earlier in 2026, giving India another useful bowling option.
His latest T20I appearance came against Japan, where he was dismissed for a first-ball duck in India’s five-over match. However, his recent performances against Afghanistan showed how quickly he can change the course of a game.
Against Sri Lanka, Abhishek will likely have an important role at the top of the order. His power-hitting can help India make the most of the powerplay and put pressure on the Sri Lankan bowlers early in the innings.
Ishan Kishan
The number one T20I batter Ishan Kishan gives India another left-handed batting option while also providing wicketkeeping experience. He has produced several useful performances in T20Is during 2026.
Left-handed Kishan enjoyed a strong series against Zimbabwe, scoring 35 off 24 balls in the first T20I before making 81 off 44 in the second. He followed that with 29 from 26 balls in the third match. His 81 included nine fours and two sixes.
He continued his good run against Afghanistan, scoring 42 from 33 balls in the first T20I and an unbeaten 38 from 23 balls in the second. He made 10 from eight balls in the third match.
Kishan’s most recent T20I innings came against Japan, where he scored 3 from six balls in the shortened five-over game.
His experience behind the stumps also gives India flexibility. As a batter, Kishan can attack the bowlers when required, while his ability to play both pace and spin gives the team another option in the top and middle order.
India will need contributions from its key players when it faces Sri Lanka in the Asian Games semi-final. Tilak Varma can strengthen the middle order, Abhishek Sharma can provide early aggression, while Ishan Kishan offers both batting and wicketkeeping options. The performances of these three players could therefore be important as India looks to reach the final.