India Women routed Japan by 8 wickets in the Asian Games 2026 women’s cricket quarterfinal, sealing their place in the semifinals.

Japan were bowled out for only 57 runs in 19.5 overs, with Sree Charani picking up four wickets for India.

India completed the chase in just five overs, led by Shafali Verma’s rapid-fire 15-ball 40.

Verma finished things off with a huge six, capping a dominant chase for the reigning champions.

Harmanpreet Kaur’s India Women now move into the semifinals, continuing their bid to defend their Asian Games title.

The quarterfinal was played at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, part of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games venues.

India enter the tournament as the defending Asian Games women’s cricket champions, having won gold in the previous edition.

The Asian Games 2026 officially opens on September 19, with several preliminary events, including cricket, already underway from September 18.

India’s cricket contingent also includes a men’s team competing separately in the tournament, alongside representation in soft tennis and teqball.

The Asian Games women’s cricket competition follows a knockout format from the quarterfinal stage onward, with the winner advancing directly to the semifinals.

India’s dominant win over Japan continues a strong recent run of form for the team heading into the knockout rounds of the tournament.

The 8-wicket margin reflects the scale of India’s dominance, with the bowling unit restricting Japan to a total India chased down with ease.

Japan Women were bowled out for just 57 runs in 19.5 overs, with Sree Charani finishing as India’s standout bowler with four wickets.

India chased down the target in only five overs, with Shafali Verma smashing an explosive 15-ball 40 to seal the match in style.

Verma finished the chase with a massive six off a full delivery, wrapping up the victory emphatically for the defending champions.

Cricket stadium (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

India and Afghanistan clash in the second T20I today in Delhi, with India holding a 1-0 series lead.

India won the first match by 7 wickets, chasing down Afghanistan’s total of 156 for 8 in just 13.4 overs.

Abhishek Sharma’s half-century powered India’s run-chase in the series opener.

The three-match series is being played entirely at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, with the final game scheduled for September 17.

India would take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series with a win in today’s match.

Afghanistan have shown steady improvement in T20 cricket in recent years, with several of their bowlers posing a genuine threat to top-order batters.

The Arun Jaitley Stadium, formerly known as Feroz Shah Kotla, has hosted numerous high-profile India matches across formats.

India’s T20I squad for the series includes several players who have also featured prominently in the ongoing Asian Games preparations.

A series victory in the second T20I would give India an unassailable 2-0 lead with one match still to play.

Afghanistan will be looking to bounce back after their heavy defeat in the series opener, needing a much-improved batting effort against India’s bowling attack.

The series comes as part of a busy international calendar for India across formats, with several other assignments scheduled in the coming months.

Delhi’s late-monsoon weather has occasionally affected outfield conditions at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in September, though there were no reports of disruption to the series opener.

India’s team management has used bilateral T20I series like this one to assess bench strength ahead of major multi-team tournaments later in the year.

Ticket sales for the Delhi T20Is have reportedly been strong, reflecting continued fan interest in India’s home fixtures across formats.

India chased down Afghanistan’s total of 156 for 8 in just 13.4 overs in the series opener, a dominant run-chase that set the tone for the series.

Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

India are through to the Women’s Asia Cup final after beating Bangladesh by 40 runs in the semi-final at Dubai.

Shafali Verma’s 64 off 40 balls led India to 149 for 6, batting first at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Deepti Sharma picked up 3 for 26 as Bangladesh fell short, managing only 109 for 7 in their chase.

India will meet either Pakistan or Sri Lanka in the September 13 final, with that semi-final at the same venue.

The result extends India’s unbeaten run in the tournament and their record of reaching every Women’s Asia Cup final to date.

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium has hosted the majority of matches in this year’s Women’s Asia Cup, including both semi-finals.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s side has remained unbeaten through the tournament heading into the final, extending their strong recent form in T20 cricket.

The Women’s Asia Cup has been dominated by India since its inception, with the team reaching the final in every edition held so far.

India’s bowling attack, led by spinners including Deepti Sharma, has been a key factor in restricting opposition totals throughout the tournament.

The final on September 13 coincides with the ongoing BRICS Summit period in India, though the match itself is being played in Dubai.

India’s win over Bangladesh marked their sixth consecutive appearance in a Women’s T20 Asia Cup final, underlining their dominance in the tournament’s history.

Shafali Verma’s 64 off 40 balls was the standout innings of the semi-final, anchoring India’s total of 149 for 6 after being sent in to bat.

Deepti Sharma’s 3 for 26 with the ball was instrumental in restricting Bangladesh to 109 for 7 in their chase, sealing a 40-run victory for India.

India’s opponent in the September 13 final will be decided by the second semi-final between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, played at the same Dubai venue.

Shafali Verma, PIB/Wikimedia Commons, GODL-India