Asian Games Cricket QFs: Harmanpreet wins toss, opts to bowl first against Japan

India vs Japan Live Score: India launch their Asian Games 2026 women's cricket title defence against hosts Japan in the quarterfinals today, just days after completing a record-extending eighth T20 Asia Cup triumph. The defending champions arrive with momentum, but the knockout format means they cannot afford an off day. With only eight teams in the competition, the women's event begins with the quarterfinals, making every match a sudden-death contest.

Shafali Verma will be a major focus after her prolific Asia Cup campaign. The opener finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer and consistently gave India aggressive starts. Smriti Mandhana, meanwhile, will be keen to rediscover her rhythm after an uneven outing in the UAE. Richa Ghosh gives India further firepower in the middle and lower order.

The bowling attack offers India plenty of variety. Deepti Sharma's experience and all-round skills will be important, while left-arm spinner Sree Charani enters the tournament after a breakthrough Asia Cup campaign. The 22-year-old recently completed 50 T20I wickets in just her 30th match. Radha Yadav and Shreyanka Patil add more spin options, with Patil returning after recovering from an ankle injury.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur will also be looking for a stronger tournament after an indifferent Asia Cup. Japan, meanwhile, will bank on home conditions and support to challenge India, but must find a way to counter their aggressive top order and varied spin attack.

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08:05 (IST) Sep 18

IND W Vs Japan W Live Score: Japan face formidable challenge at home

Japan will look to make the most of home advantage when they take on the defending champions in the quarterfinal. Playing in front of a home crowd could provide the hosts with an additional lift, but they face a formidable Indian side packed with experience and recent success. Japan will need to find a way through India's varied bowling attack, particularly the multiple spin options that can control the middle overs. At the same time, their bowlers will have to contain India's aggressive top order and prevent Shafali and Mandhana from building a strong opening partnership. With no margin for error, Japan face a demanding challenge.

08:04 (IST) Sep 18

India vs Japan Live Score: Harmanpreet seeks stronger tournament start

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur will be hoping for a more influential campaign after an indifferent Asia Cup. Her experience in pressure situations remains an important asset for India, particularly in a tournament where there is no second chance after defeat. The team also have several pace options, with Nandini Sharma, Renuka Thakur and Kranti Gaud providing variety to the attack. That gives India the flexibility to adjust their combination according to conditions and opposition. With the experienced Deepti also contributing with both bat and ball, India have multiple players capable of taking responsibility at crucial stages of a knockout contest.

08:04 (IST) Sep 18

IND W Vs Japan W Live Score: Charani adds strength to spin attack

India's bowling attack will revolve around the experience of all-rounder Deepti Sharma and the growing influence of left-arm spinner Sree Charani. The 22-year-old was one of India's standout performers during the Asia Cup and reached 50 T20I wickets in only her 30th appearance. Her ability to contain batters and strike during the middle overs could prove particularly valuable in a knockout game. India also have considerable depth in the spin department, with Radha Yadav and Shreyanka Patil available alongside Deepti and Charani. Shreyanka's return after recovering from an ankle injury further strengthens India's options as they begin their title defence.

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08:04 (IST) Sep 18

India vs Japan Live Score: Shafali carries momentum from Asia Cup

Shafali Verma will be among India's key players after an outstanding Asia Cup campaign in which she emerged as the side's leading batter and finished as the tournament's highest run-scorer. Her consistency at the top provided India with strong starts throughout the competition and her aggressive approach can again put pressure on opponents from the outset. Smriti Mandhana, meanwhile, will be looking to rediscover her best touch after an inconsistent Asia Cup. India's opening pair will have an important role against Japan, with a strong start potentially allowing the middle order to attack more freely and give the defending champions control of the contest.

08:03 (IST) Sep 18

IND W Vs Japan W Live Score: Defending champions begin title defence

Fresh from their record-extending eighth T20 Asia Cup triumph in Dubai, defending champions India begin their Asian Games title defence against hosts Japan in the women's quarterfinals today. India enter the continental showpiece with considerable confidence after their success in the UAE, but the knockout format leaves little room for error. The women's competition features eight teams and begins directly with the quarterfinals, meaning there is no group stage for teams to find their rhythm or recover from an early setback. For India, the equation is simple: every match is a must-win and one defeat will end their campaign.

08:03 (IST) Sep 18

India vs Japan Live Score: Hello & Welcome!

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the Asian Games 2026 women's cricket quarterfinal between defending champions India Women and hosts Japan.

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Cricket Match Prediction

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India vs Japan Live Score: Defending champions India begin their Asian Games 2026 women's cricket campaign against hosts Japan in the quarterfinals today, carrying the confidence of their record-extending eighth T20 Asia Cup triumph. With the women's competition starting directly with the last-eight stage, India know there is no room for a slow start or a costly mistake, with defeat immediately ending their title defence.

Shafali Verma will be one of India's biggest threats after finishing as the highest run-scorer in the Asia Cup. Her attacking approach at the top will be central to India's plans, while Smriti Mandhana will look to regain her best form after an inconsistent campaign in Dubai.

India also possess considerable bowling depth. Deepti Sharma brings experience and all-round ability, while Sree Charani has emerged as a key spin option after taking her 50th T20I wicket in only her 30th appearance. Renuka Thakur, Nandini Sharma and Kranti Gaud add pace options, while Radha Yadav and Shreyanka Patil provide further spin choices.

Japan will hope home advantage can help them challenge a strong Indian side, but they face a difficult task against the defending champions.