The cricket schedule for the Asian Games 2026 to be hosted by Japan has been released. Indian teams will participate in both men's and women's categories. Know when and against which team Team India's matches will be held.
Sports News: The picture regarding cricket in the Asian Games 2026 has become clear. Men's and women's cricket competitions will be organized in the Asian Games to be held from September 19 to October 4 in Japan. Both Indian men and women teams will participate in this tournament. The women's cricket competition will start from September 17, while the men's matches will start from September 24.
A total of 523 players in the Indian sports contingent will represent the country in 35 different sports. India will also have an eye on the gold medal in cricket. In the men's category, India has got a direct place in the quarterfinals on the basis of its ranking, while the women's competition will also start directly from the knockout stage.
India gets direct place in quarterfinals in men's cricket
The men's cricket tournament of the Asian Games 2026 will be played from September 24 to October 3. A total of 10 teams will participate in it. The seeding of the teams has been done on the basis of ICC T20 rankings as of 23 July 2026. The top four teams in the rankings, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, have been given direct entry into the quarterfinals. The remaining six teams will get a chance to reach the knockout round through group stage matches.
India will play its first match directly in the quarterfinals. Team India will face the second placed team of Group A on September 28. That means India will not need to play the initial group matches.
10 teams involved in men's cricket
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Japan, Nepal, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Oman will participate in the men's cricket competition.
India will play quarterfinals directly in women's cricket also
A total of eight teams will participate in the women's cricket competition. Here too, the teams have been seeded on the basis of ICC rankings and the tournament will start with the quarterfinal matches. The Indian women's team will start its campaign against Japan on September 17. This will be the first quarterfinal match of the tournament. The final of women's cricket will be played on 22 September.
8 teams involved in women's cricket
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, Japan, China and Malaysia will participate in the women's cricket competition.
Asian Games 2026 full schedule of men's cricket
- 24 September: Afghanistan vs Japan
- 24 September: Hong Kong vs Malaysia
- 25 September: Afghanistan vs Nepal
- 25 September: Hong Kong vs Oman
- 26 September: Japan vs Nepal
- 26 September: Malaysia vs Oman
- 28 September: 1st quarterfinal – India vs Group A runners-up
- 28 September: Second quarterfinal – Pakistan vs Group B runners-up
- 29 September: Third Quarterfinal – Bangladesh vs Group B winner
- 29 September: Fourth Quarterfinal – Sri Lanka vs Group A winner
- 1 October: First semi-final
- 1 October: Second semi-final
- October 3: Bronze Medal Match
- October 3: Gold Medal Match
Full schedule of women's cricket
- 17 September: India vs Japan – 1st Quarterfinal
- 17 September: Bangladesh vs China – 2nd quarterfinal
- 18 September: Malaysia vs Sri Lanka – 3rd Quarterfinal
- 18 September: Pakistan vs Thailand – 4th Quarterfinal
- 20 September: First semi-final
- 20 September: Second semi-final
- 22 September: Bronze Medal Match
- 22 September: Gold Medal Match
The return of cricket in the Asian Games and the participation of both the Indian teams makes this competition special. The Indian men's team has the advantage of a strong ranking and will start directly from the quarterfinals. The women's team will face the challenge of Japan.