India Women rout Japan by 8 wickets, into Asian Games semis

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