Sanju Samson says India did not get Asian Games gold on a platter
Sanju Samson says India's Asian Games gold required hard work after a 19-run win over Pakistan in the final.
Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson said India did not win the Asian Games gold medal on a platter after defeating Pakistan by 19 runs in the final in Nagoya on Saturday. Samson credited the presence of experienced players for helping the team manage energy and stay focused during a tournament disrupted by rain.
India posted 211 for six with half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma before restricting Pakistan to 192 for six. Samson said the experienced squad knew how to manage energy levels when practice and match schedules were repeatedly interrupted.
He noted that fielding the regular T20 contingent gave the team both quality and composure for the high-stakes final. Samson said once the game started, players focused on match conditions rather than the occasion itself.
CricHubb Take
India's decision to send its strongest T20 squad rather than an experimental side ensured the final carried genuine intensity, a choice that may shape future selection policy for multi-sport events.