India’s women’s cricket team, fresh from an eighth Asia Cup title, heads to the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya as defending champions. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side opens against hosts Japan on September 18 at 10:30 AM IST at Kōrogi Sports Park, Nisshin. The knockout event runs through September 22, with all matches on Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV.
After winning the Women's Asia Cup for a record-extending eighth time, India now focus on the Asian Games 2026, where Harmanpreet Kaur-led side will look to defend the gold medal won in Hangzhou. India beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the Women's Asia Cup 2026 final on September 13, giving the team a strong boost before its next assignment in Japan.
Here we feature the Asian Games 2026 women's cricket full schedule, India time, squad, when and where to watch. The focus is on the Indian team's itinerary. The Indian women's cricket team at the Asian Games 2026 begins its campaign against hosts Japan on September 18 at 10:30 AM IST in the quarter-finals at Korogi Park in Nisshin. India won the women's cricket gold at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, and will now attempt to repeat that success in Aichi-Nagoya.
Here is everything to know about India's Asian Games 2026 schedule, IST timings, squad, opponents, venue and more.
India's first match is against Japan Women in the fourth quarter-final on September 18. The match starts at 10:30 AM IST at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. A victory will take India into the semi-finals on September 20. The tournament then moves to the medal matches on September 22, with the final and bronze-medal match scheduled for that day.
India's Matches:
September 18: India Women vs Japan Women, Quarter-final, 10:30 AM IST
September 20: Semi-final, 5:30 AM or 10:30 AM IST, depending on the draw
September 22: Bronze-medal match, 5:30 AM IST, if India loses its semi-final
September 22: Gold-medal match, 10:30 AM IST, if India reaches the final
The women's competition begins on September 17 with Bangladesh taking on China and Pakistan facing Thailand. On September 18, Malaysia plays Sri Lanka before India meets Japan.
September 17: Bangladesh Women vs China Women, Quarter-final, 5:30 AM IST
September 17: Pakistan Women vs Thailand Women, Quarter-final, 10:30 AM IST
September 18: Malaysia Women vs Sri Lanka Women, Quarter-final, 5:30 AM IST
September 18: Japan Women vs India Women, Quarter-final, 10:30 AM IST
September 20: Semi-final 1, 5:30 AM IST
September 20: Semi-final 2, 10:30 AM IST
September 22: Bronze-medal match, 5:30 AM IST
September 22: Gold-medal match, 10:30 AM IST
All the women's cricket matches are being played at Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture.
Harmanpreet Kaur leads India's 15-member squad, with Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain. The group includes Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, G. Kamalini, Bharti Fulmali, Sree Charani, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav and Nandni Sharma. Shreyanka Patil's selection is subject to fitness clearance.
Jemimah Rodrigues is unavailable for the Asian Games after the BCCI confirmed in August that her hamstring injury ruled her out of both the Asia Cup and the Games.
Indian viewers can watch the women's cricket matches live on the Sony Sports Network, with live streaming available on SonyLIV through its app and website.
For Harmanpreet Kaur and her team, the route to another Asian Games gold begins with Japan on September 18. With a recent Asia Cup title behind them, India will enter the knockout tournament with confidence, but the format means there is no second chance after a quarter-final defeat
| Date | Match/Event | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| September 17 | Bangladesh vs China, Quarter-final | 5:30 AM |
| September 17 | Pakistan vs Thailand, Quarter-final | 10:30 AM |
| September 18 | Sri Lanka vs Malaysia, Quarter-final | 5:30 AM |
| September 18 | India vs Japan, Quarter-final | 10:30 AM |
| September 20 | Semi-final 1 | 5:30 AM |
| September 20 | Semi-final 2 | 10:30 AM |
| September 22 | Bronze-medal match | 5:30 AM |
| September 22 | Gold-medal match | 10:30 AM |
When does the Indian women's cricket team play at the Asian Games 2026?
India plays Japan in the quarter-final on September 18, 2026, at 10:30 AM IST.
What time will the Indian women's cricket team play at the Asian Games 2026?
The India vs Japan match starts at 10:30 AM India time (IST).
Where will India vs Japan be played?
The quarter-final will be held at Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture.
Who captains India at the Asian Games 2026?
Harmanpreet Kaur is the captain, with Smriti Mandhana serving as vice-captain.
Is India the defending Asian Games women's cricket champion?
Yes. India won the women's cricket gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023.
Where can I watch India Women's cricket at the Asian Games?
The matches will be available on the Sony Sports Network, with streaming on SonyLIV.
Who are the teams in the women's cricket tournament?
India, Japan, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Thailand are competing.