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Asian Games 2026 Highlights: The Indian women's cricket team continues its stellar performance at the 2026 Asian Games. In the fourth quarter-final match held at Karogi Sports Park, Nishin, India secured a spot in the semi-finals by defeating Japan in a one-sided contest by 8 wickets.
Powered by a commanding performance from their formidable bowlers and an explosive batting display by Shafali Verma, India clinched the match in just 5 overs. India will now face the Bangladesh women's team in the semi-finals on September 20.
Match Highlights: India Women vs Japan Women Quarterfinal
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- Toss Decision: India won the toss and elected to bowl first.
- Collapse of Japanese Batting: The Japanese team could not withstand India's tight bowling and was bowled out for just 57 runs in 19.5 overs.
- Shree Charani's Deadly Spell: For India, Shree Charani bowled a lethal spell, claiming 4 wickets for 10 runs in her 4 overs.
- Shafali Verma's All-Round Show: After taking 2 wickets with the ball, Shafali played an explosive, unbeaten innings of 40* off 15 balls.
- Easy Victory: India chased down the target of 58 runs in just 5 overs, losing 2 wickets in the process.
1st Innings: Japan Women Bowled Out for 57 as Shree Charani Shines
The Indian bowlers, who took the field after winning the toss and electing to bowl, fully vindicated their captain's decision.
Pressure was applied on the Japanese batters right from the start, resulting in the entire team being bowled out for just 57 runs in 19.5 overs.Only two batters from Japan managed to reach double-digit scores
- Ayaka Kato-Stafford: 25 runs
- Haruna Iwasaki (Opener): 10 runs
India Women Bowling Performance
- Shree Charani: 4 overs | 10 runs | 4 wickets
- Shafali Verma: 2 wickets
- Shreyanka Patil: 1 wicket
- Deepti Sharma: 1 wicket
2nd Innings: Shafali Verma's Blitzkrieg Powers India to Victory in 5 Overs
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Chasing a modest target of 58 runs, the Indian team adopted an aggressive approach. Opener Shafali Verma took the Japanese bowlers to the cleaners, hitting shots all around the ground.
- Shafali's Explosive Knock: Shafali played an unbeaten innings of 40* off just 15 balls, featuring 4 fours and 2 sixes.
- Support from Richa Ghosh: Richa Ghosh remained unbeaten on 12*, helping India cross the finish line.
Although India suffered two early setbacks—with G. Kamalini (0) and Bharati Fulmali (6 runs) getting out quickly—it did not affect the pace of India's victory.
Asian Games 2026 Semifinal: India Women vs Bangladesh Women on September 20
The Indian women's team is high on confidence after handing a one-sided defeat to Japan in the quarterfinal. Now, all eyes are set on the second semi-final match scheduled for September 20, where India will face the Bangladesh women's team.
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