A dominant performance with the ball set up a crushing eight-wicket victory for India over Japan in the women’s cricket quarterfinal at the Asian Games 2026.

India dominated the contest, bundling out Japan for 57 after winning the toss at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. The Women in Blue chased down the target in just five overs and will now face Bangladesh in the semifinal on Sunday, September 20.

India’s victory was set up by its spin quartet of N. Shree Charani, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma and returning spinner Shreyanka Patil, who took eight wickets between them.

The Japanese batters struggled against the Indian spinners, managing just three boundaries in their innings. Ayaka Kato-Stafford top-scored with a patient 47-ball 25, while Haruna Iwasaki was the only other Japanese batter to cross 10 as India’s superiority was evident throughout the innings.

Shafali ignited India’s chase with a 15-ball 40, studded with six fours and two sixes. While G. Kamalini and Bharti Fulmali missed out, Richa Ghosh, walking in at No. 4, applied the finishing touches with a six down the ground.

Published on Sep 18, 2026