Nagoya, Sept 19:
Defending champions India launched their Asian Games 2026 women’s cricket campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating Japan by eight wickets in the quarterfinal to enter the semifinals.
India produced a clinical all-round performance after opting to field. Japan struggled against the Indian spin attack and were bowled out for just 57 in 19.5 overs. Left-arm spinner Shree Charani was the chief destroyer, claiming a career-best four wickets for 10 runs. India’s spinners collectively bowled 95 deliveries and accounted for eight of Japan’s wickets.
Shafali Verma also played a key role with both bat and ball. After contributing with two wickets, she provided a rapid start to India’s chase. India reached the target in only five overs, finishing on 59 for two.
Shafali remained unbeaten on 40 off just 15 deliveries, while Richa Ghosh finished unbeaten on 12 off six balls. Kamalini Gunalan and Bharti Fulmali were the two Indian batters dismissed during the short chase.
Japan’s batting resistance was led by Ayaka Kato Stafford, who scored 25, but the hosts could not cope with India’s disciplined bowling attack. The Indian spinners maintained pressure throughout the innings and ensured that Japan never built a substantial partnership.
India will now meet Bangladesh in the semifinal. Bangladesh advanced to the last four without playing a quarterfinal, while Sri Lanka and Pakistan secured the other semifinal places.
India entered the Asian Games as defending women’s cricket champions and will now be two wins away from retaining the gold medal. The women’s cricket tournament is part of India’s wider campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, which officially open on Saturday.
The performance also provided an early statement from India’s women’s team, with Charani’s spell and Shafali’s explosive batting highlighting the depth available to the defending champions.