India into finals (Image: BCCI/X)
Defending champions India Women stormed into the gold-medal match of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 with a commanding 114-run victory over Bangladesh in the semi-final at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided a blistering start, racing to 71 in the powerplay. Mandhana struck 37 off 18 balls before falling, but not before becoming the leading run-scorer in women’s T20I cricket and the first Indian woman to reach 100 sixes in the format. Shafali then took charge, producing a sensational 100 off 49 deliveries, including nine sixes and three fours. Harmanpreet added a valuable 40 off 33 balls as India finished on 195/4, setting Bangladesh a target of 196.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to bat, and the top order made the most of the decision. She became the first player to score a century in women’s cricket at the Asian Games.
India Advances to Final Against Sri Lanka
India has secured a spot in the gold-medal match after a decisive victory. They will compete against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, September 22. Sri Lanka reached the final by defeating Pakistan by eight wickets in the first semi-final.