The Japan vs India women’s cricket quarter-final took place at the 2026 Asian Games. India faced Japan at the Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin on September 18. India entered the match as the defending Asian Games champions. Japan were competing in the cricket event for only the third time. India won the match by eight wickets and moved into the semi-finals. Japan were bowled out for 57 runs. India then reached the target in only five overs.
Japan struggle With the bat
India won the toss and chose to bowl first. The decision quickly paid off for the Indian team. Japan struggled to build partnerships during their innings.
India’s bowlers kept regular pressure on the Japanese batting lineup. Shree Charani played a major role in the bowling attack. She finished with four wickets for 10 runs. Shafali Verma also contributed with the ball. She took two wickets while helping India control the innings. Japan eventually lost all their wickets for 57 runs. The low total left India with a small target to chase.
Shafali Verma leads India’s chase
India began the chase quickly after Japan were dismissed. Shafali Verma produced an aggressive batting display. She scored an unbeaten 40 runs from only 15 balls. Her quick innings helped India finish the chase within five overs. Japan did manage to take two early wickets. Kamalini Gunalan and Bharti Fulmali were dismissed during the chase.
However, India recovered quickly and completed the required runs. The result secured their place in the semi-finals.
India Move into the semi-finals
The victory also continued India’s Asian Games title defence. India won the women’s cricket gold medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. The team arrived at the 2026 Games after winning the Women’s Asia Cup. That victory gave India strong momentum before the knockout stage. India will now face Bangladesh in the semi-final. Bangladesh advanced after their quarter-final against China was washed out.
For Japan, the match provided another major experience in international women’s cricket. Their best previous Asian Games cricket result came in 2010. They won a bronze medal during that edition.
Another Japan vs India match Is coming
The Japan vs India rivalry will continue in another cricket format later this month. India’s men’s team is scheduled to play Japan in a historic T20 International on September 22. The match will take place at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi, Japan. The match will be the first T20I meeting between the senior men’s teams of both countries. It is part of celebrations marking 75 years of India-Japan diplomatic relations.
The upcoming fixture will give Japan another opportunity to face India on the international cricket stage. It is also expected to attract attention as the two teams meet in a historic contest.
Read more about the latest Asian Games cricket results and major match updates.