Saim Ayub became the focus of attention from Indian fans during the India vs Pakistan Asian Games 2026 gold medal match at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Saturday, October 3. The Pakistan all-rounder was repeatedly targeted from the stands with chants referencing Rohit Sharma’s famous “garden mein nahi ghoomega” remark.
The high-profile clash had already produced several talking points. Ayub gave Pakistan an early breakthrough by dismissing 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the third over and celebrated with a baby-cradle gesture. However, his performance in the field later attracted attention after he dropped two catches.
As Ayub patrolled the boundary, sections of the crowd repeatedly shouted, “Koi garden mein nahi ghoomega.” Fans also took the opportunity to remind him about the dropped chances, with one supporter heard saying, “Oye Saim, ek aur catch chhodna.” Rohit’s “garden mein nahi ghoomega” line became popular after he was heard making the remark during India’s second Test against England in Visakhapatnam in February 2024. The then India captain was expressing frustration over the team’s urgency in the field.
WATCH – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ravi Bishnoi Escape Scary Collision During Asian Games Final
The phrase subsequently became a social media favourite. Following India’s 4-1 Test series victory over England in March 2024, Rohit shared a photograph with Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel, accompanied by the caption, “Garden mein ghoomne wale bande.”
Earlier in the Asian Games final, Ayub had removed Sooryavanshi after the teenage opener made an aggressive start alongside Abhishek Sharma. Sooryavanshi struck two sixes before attempting a reverse sweep against Ayub. The delivery turned sharply enough to take a faint glove, with Usman Khan completing the catch after initially juggling it.
Fans were sledging Sam Ayub: “koi garden me nhi ghumega”😂 during the India vs Pakistan gold medal match in Japan🔥 pic.twitter.com/dJ6duGqL9G
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) October 3, 2026
Sooryavanshi departed for 15 from nine balls, prompting Ayub’s baby-cradle celebration. India responded through Abhishek, who smashed a 20-ball half-century and finished with 61 from 28 deliveries, including seven sixes and three fours. Pakistan also missed two chances offered by the left-hander.
After Arafat Minhas dismissed Abhishek, Pakistan’s spinners briefly restricted India’s scoring. Shreyas Iyer contributed 21, while Ishan Kishan made 20 before also falling to Minhas.
WATCH – Shivam Dube Smashes Saim Ayub for Two Sixes In Explosive Asian Games Final Cameo
However, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube produced a powerful finish. The pair added 62 for the sixth wicket, attacking Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Moqim before taking 23 runs from Ayub’s final over. Varma smashed a 21-ball fifty and remained unbeaten on 51 from 22 balls, while Dube made 27 off 15. India eventually finished on 211/6, with Varma recording the second-fastest fifty by an Indian against Pakistan in T20Is, behind Abhishek’s 20-ball effort earlier in the innings.
