India Women booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 Asian Games women’s cricket competition with an eight-wicket victory over hosts Japan in the fourth quarter-final at Nisshin on Friday. A disciplined bowling performance restricted Japan to 57 before Shafali Verma’s explosive unbeaten 40 guided India to victory in just five overs with 15 overs remaining.
Charani Leads India’s Bowling Charge
After electing to field, India took full advantage of a surface offering turn and bounce. Japan’s opening pair, Haruna Iwasaki and Ayaka Kato-Stafford, resisted early pressure with a 24-run partnership, but India quickly seized control once the breakthrough arrived.
Shree Charani produced another outstanding spell, finishing with 4/10 from four overs. She struck twice in consecutive deliveries during the seventh over, removing Iwasaki for 10 before dismissing captain Mai Yanagida for a first-ball duck. Although she narrowly missed a hat-trick, Charani’s spell effectively dismantled Japan’s batting line-up.
Shafali Verma also impressed with the ball, taking 2/13, while Deepti Sharma claimed 1/14.
Returning to international cricket after a three-month injury lay-off, Shreyanka Patil made an encouraging comeback, picking up 1/8 in 3.5 overs. She sealed the innings by bowling Nonoha Yasumoto, as Japan were dismissed for 57 in 19.5 overs after losing their final eight wickets for just 33 runs.
Japan Show Fight Despite Collapse
Although the total proved insufficient, Japan showed resilience throughout the innings. Opener Ayaka Kato-Stafford top-scored with a patient 25 from 47 deliveries, while Iwasaki added 10 from 22 balls.
The hosts displayed disciplined running between the wickets, remained committed in the field and managed to bat almost their full quota of overs despite facing one of the strongest bowling attacks in the tournament.
Shafali Ends the Chase Quickly
India’s chase began in explosive fashion as Shafali Verma attacked from the outset, smashing four boundaries in the opening over to immediately take control.
Japan briefly celebrated two wickets after left-arm seamer Nonoha Yasumoto dismissed G Kamalini and later bowled a wicket-maiden, while Bharti Fulmali also fell cheaply. However, those breakthroughs did little to slow India’s progress.
Shafali remained unbeaten on 40 from just 15 balls, striking six fours and two sixes at a remarkable strike rate of 266.66. She finished the match in style with a towering six over long-on, while Richa Ghosh stayed unbeaten on 12 as India reached 59/2 in only five overs.
India Advance to the Semi-Finals
This quarterfinal is the fourth knockout fixture in the women’s cricket competition at the Asian Games 2026. The match also carries historical significance because it is the first-ever meeting between India and Japan in women’s T20I cricket.
India Women vs Japan Women result sets the semifinal on September 20, where India now faces Bangladesh who progressed after their quarterfinal against China was washed out.
India’s bowlers once again delivered an outstanding performance, while Shafali’s aggressive innings ensured the chase was completed with minimum fuss. Japan, despite the defeat, earned praise for their determination, disciplined fielding and competitive spirit throughout the contest.
