Asian Games: India Women Begin Gold Medal Defence Against Japan in Quarterfinal

India’s women’s cricket team will launch its Asian Games 2026 campaign against Japan in the quarterfinal at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Friday, with Harmanpreet Kaur’s side targeting a second successive gold medal.

The defending champions arrive in Japan on the back of an impressive Women’s Asia Cup campaign. India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final to claim a record eighth continental title and will now attempt to carry that winning momentum into the Asian Games.

Japan, meanwhile, will have the advantage of playing in familiar surroundings and will look to their experienced players to put up a strong challenge against the reigning champions.

INDIA’S STAR BATTERS IN FOCUS

India’s batting will once again revolve around the opening combination of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma.

Mandhana enters the tournament after a memorable Asia Cup in which she became the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket, overtaking Mithali Raj’s mark of 10,868 runs. She also produced a stunning 124 off 64 balls against Hong Kong.

Shafali contributed 236 runs during the Asia Cup and was named Player of the Tournament. She also reached the milestone of 3,000 Women’s T20I runs as the youngest and fastest player to achieve the feat.

Deepti Sharma’s all-round ability will add depth to India’s line-up, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur remains an important middle-order batter.

India have also been boosted by the return of Shreyanka Patil, who has recovered from an ankle injury and has been declared fit for the tournament.

JAPAN LOOK TO SPRING A SURPRISE

Japan will rely on captain Mai Yanagida to lead their challenge against India. The 33-year-old all-rounder was part of Japan’s 2014 Asian Games squad and brings significant international experience.

Yanagida has featured in 61 T20 matches for Japan, accumulating 777 runs and taking 27 wickets, including a four-wicket haul.

Pacer Ahilya Chandel will also be an important part of Japan’s bowling attack. The left-armer has claimed 41 wickets in 48 matches.

Among Japan’s current players, Erika Oda is the team’s leading run-scorer with 802 runs from 51 appearances. Kurumi Ota, another member of the 2014 Asian Games squad, also provides valuable experience.

SEMIFINAL PLACE UP FOR GRABS

India will be looking to book their place in the semifinals and continue their bid to retain the Asian Games title. Bangladesh have already advanced after their quarterfinal against China was abandoned because of rain.

For India, the match represents a fresh challenge despite the confidence generated by their Asia Cup triumph. Japan will hope home conditions can work in their favour, but Harmanpreet’s team will be keen to avoid any early setback in their title defence.

A win would put India one step closer to another Asian Games gold medal.

India vs Japan: Match Details

Where to watch: Sony Sports Network will broadcast the Asian Games, while the India vs Japan women’s cricket match will be streamed live on Sony LIV.

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

Head-to-head: India and Japan have never faced each other 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.