India Women advanced to the Asian Games 2026 cricket semi-finals with an eight-wicket victory over hosts Japan in Nisshin on 18 September.
India dismissed Japan for 57 before completing the chase inside five overs. Sree Charani led the bowling effort with four wickets, while Shafali Verma finished unbeaten on 40 from 15 balls.
India Women vs Japan score summary
Japan Women: 57 all out
India Women: 58/2 in under five overs
Result: India Women won by eight wickets
Venue: Nisshin, Japan
Date: 18 September 2026
Sree Charani takes 4/10
Japan found nine runs from Charani's opening over, but the left-arm spinner responded decisively. She conceded only one more run across her remaining three overs and completed figures of 4/10 from four overs.
Charani delivered 20 dot balls in her spell, preventing Japan from building momentum and creating steady pressure through the middle of the innings.
India's spinners control Japan's innings
Shafali supported Charani with two wickets in consecutive deliveries and finished with 2/13. Deepti Sharma took 1/14, while Shreyanka Patil returned 1/8.
The four spinners accounted for eight wickets between them as Japan were bowled out for 57. India therefore needed fewer than three runs per over to secure a place in the final four.
Shafali Verma completes the chase
India lost G Kamalini for a two-ball duck, but Shafali immediately removed any pressure from the chase. She struck six fours and two sixes in her unbeaten 40 from only 15 deliveries.
Her attacking innings carried India past the target inside five overs and completed an influential all-round performance after her two wickets with the ball.
India to face Bangladesh in the semi-final
The victory secured India's place in the Asian Games semi-finals, where they are scheduled to meet Bangladesh on 20 September.
India enter the knockout stage with recent success behind them after winning the Women's Asia Cup 2026 title. Shafali's match-winning contribution in Nisshin also continued the strong form documented in her CricXZ player profile.
Sri Lanka also progressed to the semi-finals and will face Pakistan in the other last-four match.
Match details checked through 18 September 2026 after India's group-stage victory in Nisshin.