Archive · 18 Sep 2026
India Women Begin Asian Games Gold Defense Ahead of Olympics
India’s women’s cricket team is playing in the Asian Games.
They won the gold medal at the previous Asian Games and want to win it again.
Their first match is against Japan on Friday.
India recently won the T20 Asia Cup in Dubai.
Only eight teams are in the competition, so the tournament starts with quarter-finals.
Bangladesh reached the semi-finals after its match with China was stopped because the field was wet.
Pakistan beat Thailand and also moved forward.
India’s coach says these Games will help the team prepare for cricket’s return at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Defending champions India face hosts Japan in an Asian Games women’s cricket quarter-final on Friday.
The Indian team enters the match after winning the T20 Asia Cup in Dubai last week.
Only eight teams are competing, with the women’s cricket tournament starting at the quarter-final stage.
Bangladesh advanced after its match against China was abandoned, while Pakistan defeated Thailand by three wickets.
India’s head coach Amol Muzumdar called the Asian Games a teaser for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- Who
- India’s women’s cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, and host Japan are involved, with Amol Muzumdar serving as India’s head coach.
- What
- India is beginning its defense of the women’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games.
- When
- The India-Japan quarter-final is scheduled for Friday; the article does not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- The match is part of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan.
- Why
- India wants to retain its Asian Games title and use the tournament as preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- Match
- India women vs Japan women in a quarter-final
- Tournament
- Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games women’s cricket
- India’s status
- Defending champions and favourites
- Recent result
- India won the T20 Asia Cup in Dubai last week
- Teams competing
- Eight women’s teams
- Other semi-finalists
- Bangladesh and Pakistan
- Olympic connection
- The Games are viewed by India’s coach as preparation for Los Angeles 2028