Cricket made its Asian Games debut in 2010 at Guangzhou, China, marking a significant expansion for the continental competition. Unlike traditional Asian Games sports such as athletics, hockey, and wrestling, cricket had not been included since the inaugural Games. The Olympic Council of Asia approved cricket’s addition as a medal sport in 2007, leading to its T20 format inclusion at the 2010 Games.
The 2010 Guangzhou Games featured both men’s and women’s tournaments. In the men’s event, Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan to claim the first Asian Games cricket gold medal, while Pakistan won bronze by beating Sri Lanka. India did not participate in the men’s competition. Pakistan dominated the women’s event, winning gold, with Bangladesh taking silver and Japan claiming bronze.
Cricket’s participation at the Asian Games has been inconsistent. The sport appeared again at the 2014 Incheon Games in South Korea, where Sri Lanka won the men’s gold and Pakistan captured the women’s gold. However, cricket was excluded from the 2018 Jakarta and Palembang Games. According to the source, organizers sought to reduce costs and the total number of sports, and the lack of appropriate cricket venues in Indonesia was also a contributing factor.
The sport returned for the 2022 Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, which were postponed and actually took place in September and October 2023 due to the coronavirus pandemic. This Games proved historic for Indian cricket, as India won gold medals in both the men’s and women’s events—their first gold medals in cricket at the Asian Games. In the men’s competition, India defeated Afghanistan for gold, with Bangladesh securing bronze. India’s women’s team also won gold, with Sri Lanka taking silver and Bangladesh claiming bronze.
Cricket is confirmed to be included in the 2026 Asian Games scheduled for Aichi-Nagoya, continuing the sport’s recent momentum on the continental stage.
Key facts
- Cricket debuted at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games in T20 format after approval in 2007
- The sport appeared in 2010 and 2014 but was excluded from the 2018 Games due to cost-cutting and lack of venues in Indonesia
- India won both men’s and women’s cricket gold medals at the 2022 (held in 2023) Hangzhou Games—their first Asian Games cricket golds
- Cricket will be included in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games