Rampant India to meet Afghanistan for Asian Games cricket gold

India's Tilak Varma plays a shot during the 2022 Asian Games men’s semi-final cricket match between Bangladesh and India in Hangzhou in China's eastern Zhejiang province on Friday, October 6, 2023. - AFP

HANGZHOU (AFP): India crushed Bangladesh by nine wickets on Friday to set up a gold medal match against Afghanistan as they bid to become Asian Games champions on their first attempt.

India's young -- but still formidable -- side made light work of a rattled Bangladesh in the Hangzhou semi-finals but could face stiffer resistance in Saturday's title-decider.