By Siddhant Tripathi2 min read
Defending champions India stormed into the semifinals of the Asian Games 2026 women’s cricket competition with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over hosts Japan at the Korogo Sports Park in Nisshin. The quarterfinal clash was widely expected to be a one-sided affair, and the Women in Blue ensured there were no surprises, bundling Japan out for a modest 57 before chasing down the target with blistering speed.
Dominant Display in India Women vs Japan Women Clash
Opting to field after winning the toss, India exerted total control from the outset. Japan struggled to build any momentum against a disciplined Indian bowling attack, batting deep into their innings but managing only 57 runs in 19.5 overs. Left-arm spinner Shree Charani led the charge with a scintillating spell, continuing her exceptional form by claiming four wickets for just 10 runs in her four overs.
Charani received solid backing from her teammates. All-rounder Shafali Verma was equally effective with the ball, picking up two wickets to derail Japan’s middle order. Experienced off-spinner Deepti Sharma maintained tight discipline to choke the scoring rate, leaving Japan’s batters completely pinned down.
Shafali Verma Blasts Rapid Knock Despite Batting Experiments
With a target of just 58 on the board, the Indian team management used the opportunity to experiment with their batting order. Gunalan Kamalini was pushed up to open alongside Shafali Verma, while Smriti Mandhana was held back. Bharti Fulmali was also promoted to bat at number three. Although the experiment did not produce big scores—Kamalini fell for a duck and Fulmali managed only six—it mattered little to the outcome.
Shafali Verma was in destructive touch with the bat. Following her dual strikes with the ball, the dynamic opener blasted an unbeaten 40 off just 15 deliveries. Her explosive counter-attack dismantled the Japanese bowling attack and sealed the chase in a matter of minutes, taking India over the line in under six overs.
Eyes on the Gold: Semifinal Date Confirmed
The swift victory reinforced India’s formidable standing as the frontrunners to retain their Asian Games gold medal. Fresh off their continental triumph in the Asia Cup, the Indian side appears sharp, balanced, and ruthless in knockout cricket.
India will now face Bangladesh in the second semifinal on Sunday, September 20, 2026. With their bowling unit firing and Shafali Verma leading the charge at the top, the Women in Blue head into the last-four clash brimming with confidence.