Asian Games: India Women aim for another cricket golden run as Japan waits in quarters

Fresh off lifting the Women’s Asia Cup, India now have another silverware in their sights. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side will begin their bid to retain women’s cricket gold at the Asian Games when they take on hosts Japan in the quarter-finals at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Friday.

India will arrive in Japan after that beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the Asia Cup final to claim a record-extending eighth continental title. They will now look to carry that confidence into the Asian Games, where they are the defending champions after winning gold in Hangzhou in 2023.

Japan, meanwhile, will rely on home conditions and their experienced fighters as they look to challenge one of the strongest teams in the competition.

INDIA CARRY ASIA CUP MOMENTUM

India’s batting will once again be at the heart of their hopes, with Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma forming a formidable opening pair. Mandhana comes into the tournament after a record-breaking Asia Cup where she became the top run-scorer in women’s international cricket, surpassing Mithali Raj’s 10,868 runs. She also smashed 124 off 64 balls against Hong Kong.

Shafali was equally influential, scoring 236 runs in the Asia Cup and winning the Player of the Tournament award. She also became the youngest and fastest to 3000 women’s T20I runs. Its aggressive approach gives India the ability to attack at the top.

Deepti Sharma will be another key figure, offering experience and control with both bat and ball, while skipper Harmanpreet remains a decisive presence in the middle order.

India also received support Shreyanka Patil has declared herself fit after recovering from an ankle injury. Her return adds another quality spin-bowling all-rounder to the squad.

BANK OF JAPAN ON EXPERIENCE

Japan’s hopes will rest mainly on captain Mai Yanagida. The 33-year-old all-rounder, who was part of Japan’s 2014 Asian Games squad, brings considerable experience and contributes with both right-handed batting and leg spin.

Yanagida played 61 T20 matches for Japan, scoring 777 runs and taking 27 wickets, including four wickets. Left-arm spinner Ahilya Chandel is another player India will have to watch as he has taken 41 wickets in 48 matches.

Erika Oda is Japan’s top scorer among players in the current squad with 802 shots from 51 matches. Kurumi Ota is another veteran fighter who featured in Japan’s 2014 Asian Games team.

INDIA EYES ANOTHER GOLD RUN

India’s immediate target will be to advance to the semi-finals, with the winners facing Bangladesh after the quarter-final against China was abandoned due to rain.

The Asia Cup triumph gave India a lot of confidence, but the Asian Games present a new challenge in a knockout environment. Japan will be hoping that home advantage will help them spring a surprise, while India will be looking to start their title defense with a strong performance.

A win would take Harmanpreet and her team a step closer to retaining the gold medal they won in Hangzhou.

Where to watch India vs Japan women’s cricket match at Asian Games 2026?

Sony Sports Network has the broadcasting rights for the Asian games. Live streaming of India vs Japan women’s cricket match will be available on Sony LIV.

When to watch India vs Japan women’s cricket match at Asian Games 2026?

The India vs Japan match will start at 10:30 IST and 2:00 PM local time.

Women in India Vs. Women in Japan against each other

India and Japan are yet to face each other in the Women’s T20I.

India Women’s Cricket Teams Vs. Japan at the 2026 Asian Games

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), G. Kamalini (WK), Bharti Fulmali, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Na Arundhati Sharil Reddy, Shrendhati Ya Reddy, Radha

Japan: Mai Yanagida (captain), Ahilya Chandel, Ayumi Fujikawa, Hinase Goto, Haruna Iwasaki, Shimako Kato, Ayaka Kato-Stafford, Elena Kusuda-Nairn, Akari Nishimura, Erika Oda, Meg Ogawa, Kurumi Ota, Seika Sumi-Qinto Erika.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

18 Sep 2026 0:00 IST