India and Sri Lanka are set to face each other in the semi-final of the ongoing Asian Games 2026 on Thursday at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. Defending champions India, who are eyeing a gold medal once again, would look to give a powerful performance in order to move into the final. Interestingly, both teams qualified for the semi-finals without playing the quarter-finals because persistent rain had totally disrupted the knockout schedule, with all four quarter-finals abandoned.

Following the washouts, the higher-ranked teams made it to the semi-final. India, who secured the gold medal at the 2023 Hangzhou Games, will head into the match with a robust squad. And they will look to continue their title defence. Notably, India were slated to face Afghanistan in the quarter-final; relentless rain forced the match officials to call off the proceedings. India had higher ICC rankings that paved the way for them to storm directly into the semi-finals. Talking about India, they have explosive openers in Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson to give the side a roaring start. While, in the middle order, captain Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan and Shivam Dube will be expected to bring stability. Meanwhile, India’s bowling attack also boasts a group of experienced performers in Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi.

Looking at Sri Lanka, they also had a smooth path to the semi-finals after their scheduled quarter-final against Nepal was abandoned because of rain. Being the higher-ranked team, Sri Lanka secured an entry into the semi-final. For Sri Lanka, Niroshan Dickwella, Ashen Bandara, Nuwanidu Fernando and Chamika Karunaratne will be highly crucial in leading the batting assault. And in their bowling arsenal, Nuwan Thushara and Binura Fernando will handle the pace department, while Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Dushan Hemantha will look to play their key roles in spin attack.

Head-to-head (T20I)

Matches - 33

IND won - 23

SL won - 9

No result - 1

India likely XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah

Sri Lanka likely XI: Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Lasith Croospulle, Sahan Arachchige (c), Nuwanidu Fernando, Ashen Bandara, Chamika Karunaratne, Tharindu Ratnayake, Wanuja Sahan, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando