India Women began their Asian Games gold-medal defence in commanding fashion, defeating Japan by eight wickets in their quarterfinal at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Friday. India needed only five overs to chase down the target of 58, with 15 overs still unused.
Japan, playing their first-ever women’s international against India, were bowled out for 57 in 19.5 overs. After Japan made a reasonably steady beginning, India’s bowlers took complete control, with Shree Charani leading the way with four wickets.
The win booked India a semifinal against Bangladesh on September 20. Harmanpreet Kaur’s team, who won gold at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, are now two victories away from successfully defending their title. With the knockout phase beginning, India delivered a highly efficient performance that highlighted the difference between the teams, despite Japan initially looking composed with the bat.
JAPAN START CAUTIOUSLY
Japan openers Mai Yanagida and Haruna Iwasaki handled the early stages carefully as India searched for their first breakthrough. Kranti Gaud and Nandani Sharma bowled a disciplined opening spell, but Japan reached 24 without losing a wicket by the end of the six-over powerplay.
The hosts remained patient against India’s opening bowlers, focusing on rotating the strike and capitalising on scoring chances instead of taking unnecessary risks. The opening partnership provided Japan with a solid foundation, although India continued to keep the run rate under control.
Charani soon changed the course of the innings. After conceding nine runs in her first over, the left-arm spinner responded brilliantly, giving away only one run over her following three overs. She found her rhythm and began putting increasing pressure on the Japanese batters.
That pressure produced two wickets in the sixth over. Charani first removed Iwasaki for 10 and then dismissed captain Yanagida for a first-ball duck. Japan were suddenly two wickets down, and their encouraging start quickly became a struggle to stay afloat as India kept finding breakthroughs.
CHARANI ROCKS JAPAN
Japan’s collapse accelerated as India’s bowlers tightened their hold on the innings. Ayaka Kato-Stafford tried to steady the team, but wickets continued to fall at the other end.
Kato-Stafford was Japan’s highest scorer, making 25 from 47 deliveries with two fours. Her resistance ended when Shafali Verma dismissed her after she attempted to clear the infield but picked out a fielder.
Charani then returned to pick up two more wickets, removing Akari Nishimura for two and Erika Toguchi-Quinn without scoring. She ended with outstanding figures of 4-2-10-4, completing a remarkable turnaround after her costly opening over. Her spell proved particularly damaging because Japan had initially appeared comfortable against her before she completely shifted the momentum.
Shafali also contributed with the ball, finishing her four overs with two wickets for 13 runs. Shimako Kato was her second dismissal, falling for three as Japan were bowled out with one delivery remaining in the 20th over.
Shreyanka Patil, making her comeback after an ankle injury, also impressed with the ball. She conceded only seven runs from her three overs while taking no wickets. Her return strengthened India’s bowling options and provided another encouraging aspect of the quarterfinal.
SHAFALI MAKES FLYING START
India began the chase aggressively, with Shafali Verma immediately attacking Ahilya Chandel in the first over. She struck four boundaries as India collected 17 runs, taking much of the pressure out of the chase straight away.
The explosive opening over left Japan with little margin for error. India were already within touching distance of the target, although Nonoha Yasumoto gave the hosts a reason to celebrate in the second over.
Gunalan Kamalini, promoted to open, was dismissed without scoring. Yasumoto removed her for a duck, prompting loud celebrations from the Japanese team. The breakthrough briefly suggested that India might have to work harder than expected to complete the chase.
Bharti Fulmali then partnered Shafali but contributed only six runs from seven balls. She hit one four before Kato-Stafford dismissed her, with Fulmali edging towards point and giving Japan another brief moment of optimism.
Those early wickets, however, failed to change India’s aggressive approach. Shafali continued attacking the bowlers and prevented Japan from applying any sustained pressure. With the required rate never becoming an issue, India remained comfortably ahead despite losing two wickets.
SHAFALI FINISHES IN STYLE
With victory rapidly approaching, Shafali maintained her attacking approach and gave Japan no opportunity to regain control. Her aggressive batting ensured that India’s chase was completed in just a few overs.
Richa Ghosh added the finishing touches with an unbeaten 13 from five balls, including a boundary. She joined Shafali with India already close to the target and immediately continued the rapid scoring.
Shafali sealed the win in emphatic style by hitting Kato-Stafford over the boundary. She remained unbeaten on 40 from just 15 deliveries, having struck four fours and two sixes in a blistering innings.
Bangladesh are now the next hurdle for Harmanpreet Kaur’s team as they chase another Asian Games final. India will head into the September 20 semifinal after combining an excellent bowling display with a powerful chase to move one step closer to retaining their gold medal.
