Defending champions India have kicked the Asian Games 2026 cricket tournament off with a high-level win over the hosts, Japan, in the quarter-final game of the first day of the women’s tournament on Friday. With merely 57 runs off, India chased down the target with a few overs to secure a place in the semi-finals against Japan.
After Japan got through the hole in the middle, it was India who took charge of the bowlers. Sree Charani was a strong performer with four wickets, scored him 10 runs only. Her spell yielded two wickets in two deliveries and she took two maiden overs to collapse the Japanese batting order. Shafali Verma also took two wickets as well, along with Deepti Sharma and Shreyanka Patil who both took a wicket apiece.
Sree Charani Leads India’s Bowling Attack
The Japanese came out with opener Ayaka Kato-Stafford and Haruna Iwasaki with the ability to take control of the initial overs but the spinners were introduced and soon the Indians got full possession.
But wickets were being lost at regular intervals as Kato-Stafford hit the top for Japan with 25 runs. Japan finally washed up for 57 in 19.5 overs, forcing India to chase.
The game was also memorable as it is the first-ever international game between India and Japan in both format and gender of cricket.
Shafali and Richa End the Chase
India could not have been slower in completing the chase. Excitement from the early fireworks as Richa Ghosh followed her at the crease.
Shafali hit the boundaries and Richa scored fast runs in the short run-up. India got there around 5 overs to register a comprehensive win and take up berth in the semi-finals.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s side had entered the competition with its golden medal won at the last Asian Games as their pride. India’s next task will be to focus on the semi final stage in its bid for a second gold medal.