India Advances to the Last Four
India have qualified for the semi-finals of the Women’s Asian Games cricket tournament. They defeated hosts Japan in the quarter-final on Friday, September 18, 2026, at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture. India will now play Bangladesh Women in the semi-final at the same venue in a couple of days. The win confirmed India’s place in the last four of the eight-team knockout competition and kept their hopes of defending their gold medal alive.
How the Match Unfolded
India won the toss and chose to bowl first. Japan struggled against India’s bowling attack. Opener Ayaka Kato-Stafford top-scored with 25 runs, but the other batters could not contribute much. Wickets kept falling at regular intervals, and Japan were bowled out for just 57 runs in 19.5 overs.
For India, NR Shree Charani was the standout bowler. She bowled four overs and took four wickets, giving away only ten runs. She is currently the number one ranked bowler in Women’s T20Is. Shafali Verma also picked up two wickets, while Deepti Sharma and Shreyanka Patil took one wicket each.
India’s Chase
Shafali Verma opened the run chase alongside an unusual partner in Gunalan Kamalini, as Smriti Mandhana was asked to bat at a different position. Shafali attacked the Japanese bowlers from the start. She smashed an unbeaten 40 runs off just 15 balls, which included six fours and two sixes. Her last six also brought the winning runs for India. India lost two wickets but completed the chase in only five overs. The match was the first-ever meeting between the two nations in women’s T20I cricket.
India’s Recent Form
India arrived at the 2026 Asian Games with strong momentum. In the week before the tournament began, they won the Women’s Asia Cup for a record-extending eighth time. They defeated Sri Lanka in the final to show their dominance in Asian women’s cricket. India are also the defending Women’s Asian Games champions. They won the gold medal at the 2023 edition by beating Sri Lanka in the final in Hangzhou. That title defence now continues with a semi-final spot secured in Japan.
What’s Next for India
India will face Bangladesh Women in the semi-final. The team will be confident after their strong performance against Japan. Their batting and bowling have both looked solid, and they will be hoping to continue their unbeaten run. The semi-final will be a crucial step in their quest to retain the gold medal. India have been consistent across formats in 2026, and they will look to carry that form into the next match.
Japan’s Tournament Ends
For Japan, the loss ends their campaign. This was only their third appearance in the Asian Games cricket competition. Their best result remains the bronze medal they won in 2010. This quarter-final defeat means that record goes unchallenged for now. Japan put up a fight but were outmatched by a stronger Indian side. They will look to build on this experience for future tournaments.
Tournament Format
The women’s cricket competition at these Games features eight teams. It is structured as a direct knockout tournament with no league stage. This means every match is an elimination contest. India’s progress to the semi-finals is therefore a crucial step in their title defence. The team has shown why they are the highest-ranked side in the tournament, and they will be confident going into the next round.
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