Asian Games: India Women Face Japan in Quarterfinal, Eyeing Another Cricket Gold

India’s women cricketers will begin their Asian Games 2026 gold medal defence against hosts Japan in the quarterfinal at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Friday.

Harmanpreet Kaur’s team enters the tournament with plenty of confidence after securing a record-extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup title. India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final and will now aim to replicate that success at the Asian Games after winning the women’s cricket gold medal in Hangzhou in 2023.

Japan, playing on home soil, will look to make the most of familiar conditions and their experienced players as they attempt to overcome one of the tournament favourites.

INDIA ENTER ASIAN GAMES WITH STRONG FORM

India’s top order will once again be a major source of strength, with Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma expected to open the innings.

Mandhana enjoyed an outstanding Asia Cup campaign and became the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket, moving past Mithali Raj’s tally of 10,868 runs. She also produced a spectacular 124 off 64 deliveries against Hong Kong.

Shafali was equally impressive during the continental tournament. She accumulated 236 runs and was named Player of the Tournament. The opener also became the youngest and fastest player to reach 3,000 runs in Women’s T20I cricket.

All-rounder Deepti Sharma will provide balance with her contributions in both departments, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur remains an important part of India’s middle order.

India have also received positive news ahead of the knockout fixture, with Shreyanka Patil declared fit following her recovery from an ankle injury. Her availability strengthens India’s spin-bowling options.

JAPAN LOOK TO MAKE HOME ADVANTAGE COUNT

Japan will be led by experienced all-rounder Mai Yanagida, who was also part of Japan’s squad at the 2014 Asian Games.

The 33-year-old right-handed batter and leg-spinner has represented Japan in 61 T20 matches, scoring 777 runs and claiming 27 wickets. Her experience could prove valuable against India’s strong batting line-up.

Left-arm pacer Ahilya Chandel is another player India will need to negotiate carefully. She has taken 41 wickets in 48 matches for Japan.

Erika Oda is the highest run-scorer among the players in Japan’s current squad, having made 802 runs in 51 matches. Kurumi Ota, who was also part of Japan’s 2014 Asian Games team, adds further experience to the hosts’ squad.

INDIA EYE SEMIFINAL SPOT

India’s immediate objective will be to secure a place in the semifinals. Bangladesh have already progressed after their quarterfinal against China was abandoned due to rain and will meet the winner of India’s match against Japan.

While India’s recent Asia Cup triumph provides momentum, the Asian Games knockout stage brings a different challenge. Japan will hope their home conditions can help them produce an upset, while India will be determined to start their title defence on a winning note.

A victory would move Harmanpreet Kaur and her team closer to defending the gold medal they won in Hangzhou.

India vs Japan Women’s Cricket: Where to Watch

The Asian Games 2026 will be broadcast by Sony Sports Network, with live streaming of the India vs Japan women’s cricket quarterfinal available on Sony LIV.

Match time: 10:30 AM IST (2:00 PM local time)

India vs Japan Women’s T20I Head-to-Head

India and Japan have never previously met in a Women’s T20I.

India Women’s Squad

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, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, Nandni Sharma.

Japan Women’s Squad

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, Erika Toguchi-Quinn, Nonoha Yasumoto.