2 hrs ago
India Win First Asian Games Gold at Japanese Cricket Ground
India’s women’s cricket team won a gold medal at the Asian Games.
They played Sri Lanka at a sports park in Japan.
India won by 147 runs, so the result was clear before the match ended.
The park usually has facilities for baseball, tennis and football.
It was changed to make room for cricket.
Many Japanese spectators were watching cricket for the first time.
An announcer explained cricket by comparing it with baseball.
The local mayor said cricket would continue at the park after the Games.
India defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the women’s cricket final at Korogi Athletic Park in Nisshin.
The victory gave India its first gold medal of the Asian Games campaign.
Korogi Athletic Park is a public sports ground converted from a baseball facility for the Games.
Japanese spectators used a beginner’s guide and baseball comparisons to follow their first cricket match.
The venue is expected to continue hosting cricket alongside baseball after the Asian Games.
- Who
- India’s women’s cricket team and Sri Lanka’s women’s cricket team, with Japanese spectators and officials also involved.
- What
- India defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs to win the women’s cricket final and its first Asian Games gold medal of the campaign.
- Where
- Korogi Athletic Park in Nisshin, on the outskirts of Nagoya, Japan.
- When
- The final was played on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
- Why
- The match was part of the Asian Games, where India was competing in cricket.
Key facts
- Winner
- India
- Opponent
- Sri Lanka
- Margin
- India won by 147 runs
- Venue
- Korogi Athletic Park, Nisshin, Japan
- Venue conversion
- The baseball ground was converted for the Games between September of the previous year and March 2026
- Project cost
- 305 million yen, approximately Rs 18 crore
- Future use
- The park is expected to continue hosting cricket alongside baseball
Quotes
Mimi Hirayama
Public announcer at Korogi Athletic Park who explained cricket to Japanese spectators.
“Mainly rules, because the Japanese audience is not familiar with this sport. But they are very familiar with baseball. So I’ll keep giving them my hints to understand what’s going on.”
indianexpress.com
“This is the second ground in Japan after Sano. After the Asian Games we will continue playing cricket here along with baseball.”
indianexpress.com
Harmanpreet Kaur
Captain of India’s women’s cricket team.
“But knowing Japan, we knew they would manage something.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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