Korogi Sports Park:<\/b> India's head coach for the Asian Games, VVS Laxman, has heaped praise on skipper Shreyas Iyer, calling him a player's captain after India defended their gold medal in the Asian Games 2026.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in a thrilling final at Korogi Sports Park on Saturday to retain the Asian Games men\u2019s cricket gold, with Abhishek Sharma\u2019s 61 off 28 balls and Tilak Varma\u2019s unbeaten 51 off 22 setting up a formidable 211\/6.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan fought back strongly through Hasan Nawaz\u2019s 96 off 51, but India\u2019s all-rounders and spinners held their nerve to restrict them to 192\/6, with Shivam Dube dismissing Nawaz off the final ball to seal the gold.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Reflecting on the campaign, Laxman was particularly impressed with the way Iyer handled his first major assignment as captain and praised his preparation, tactical awareness and ability to bring the best out of his players.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just the start of his captaincy career, but I\u2019m sure that he\u2019ll actually get a lot of success. And he\u2019s a player\u2019s captain. He makes everyone very, very comfortable and leads by example, whether with the bat or on the field,\u201d Laxman said in a BCCI video.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cEven before the team meetings, he sits down with the plans and the strengths and the weaknesses of the opposition, and he\u2019s very thorough in the way he prepares and puts a lot of emphasis on fitness,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Laxman also highlighted Iyer\u2019s tactical understanding, particularly his ability to assess opponents and stay ahead in the fast-moving T20 format.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure that he\u2019ll have a very successful career as a captain. He\u2019s a fabulous leader of players, tactically very, very smart, and very sharp. He understands the strengths of each and every player of his team, and he knows to get the best out of them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAnd especially in T20, I think you\u2019re required to be one or two steps ahead of the opposition, and the way he assesses the opposition\u2019s strengths and weaknesses prepares him really well. And that\u2019s something which I am very happy about,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Laxman said India\u2019s adaptability had been one of the biggest positives from the campaign, especially after the squad had to deal with difficult weather, travel and limited practice opportunities after arriving in Japan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cRight from the time we came to Japan, we were challenged by weather, travel, lack of good practice sessions and preparation. But not even once I felt that the team, all the players in the squad were not eager to get ready for the big matches,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI felt that they were all well prepared, even though we were indoors. Everyone did their fitness sessions, and whenever we got an opportunity to go and practise at the venue, we did that. \"So, overall, I'm really happy with the way the outcome has come,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The former India batter said the team\u2019s flexibility in adapting to different playing conditions was another major reason behind their success.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAnd one thing which I\u2019m really proud of is the adaptability they\u2019ve shown. Because irrespective of challenging conditions or circumstances, not once were they not flexible in the way they approached both the games. We know that the semi-finals were on a tough wicket, but they showed positive intent, and again in the finals, with the bat, with the ball, I thought they were very professional,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Laxman also praised the organisers for ensuring the knockout matches went ahead despite heavy rain and difficult weather conditions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe amount of rain we experienced right from the time we came to the venue, for them to have two good days of cricket, shows that the organisers worked really hard, worked tirelessly to make this tournament a success,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Laxman believes the success of India\u2019s Asian Games campaign also underlines the depth available in Indian cricket, with the team\u2019s pathway programmes continuing to produce players capable of performing on the international stage.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe collective effort of the selection committee, the team management, the Centre of Excellence, and above all, BCCI, for giving us all the opportunity to have various camps and various pathway and development programmes where we can nurture the future of Indian cricket. If the bench strength is strong, it will only add to the depth of our national team,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Laxman added that India\u2019s performances across formats and age groups, along with the women\u2019s team\u2019s success, showed the country was in a strong position.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got an abundance of talented players who will get a lot of laurels for our country, not only now but going forward over the next 5-10 years. It\u2019s how we mentor them, it\u2019s how we groom them, and it's how we get the best out of them that\u2019s in our hands,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Laxman added that India\u2019s performances across formats and age groups, along with the women\u2019s team\u2019s success, showed the country was in a strong position.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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