India women’s cricket team booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 Asian Games after defeating Japan by eight wickets in the final quarter-final on Friday. The Indian team chased down a modest target of 58 runs in just five overs after bowling Japan out for 57.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and decided to bowl, and her decision paid off as India’s experienced bowling attack kept the Japanese batters under pressure throughout the innings.

Japan struggled to score freely from the beginning, managing just 24 runs in the powerplay without losing a wicket. However, their innings soon fell apart after India’s spinners began finding turn and bounce from the pitch.

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Left-arm spinner Sree Charani led the bowling effort with an impressive spell of 4/10, including the wickets of Haruna Iwasaki and Japan captain Mai Yanagida off successive deliveries in the seventh over. Iwasaki scored 10 runs, while Yanagida failed to open her account.

India continued to pick up wickets in the second half of the innings. Shafali Verma claimed two wickets for 13 runs, dismissing Ayaka Kato-Stafford and Shimako Kato as Japan’s batters attempted to accelerate with aerial shots. Deepti Sharma also contributed with a wicket, while a couple of run-outs added to Japan’s troubles.

Ayaka Kato-Stafford was Japan’s top scorer with 25 runs, but the hosts could only manage 57 before being bowled out. Japan hit just three boundaries in their innings, highlighting India’s control with the ball.

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Shafali Verma Powers India to Quick Victory

India needed only 58 runs to reach the semi-finals. Shafali Verma provided the early momentum with a quickfire 40-run knock, helping India complete the chase in five overs.

India lost two wickets during the chase, with G. Kamilini dismissed in the second over and Bharti Fulmali falling in the third. However, the low target meant India never faced any real difficulty in completing the chase.

With this victory, India became the fourth team to qualify for the women’s cricket semi-finals at the 2026 Asian Games. The Indian team will now look ahead to the knockout stage as they continue their campaign for the gold medal.