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The India women’s national cricket team made a flying start to their Asian Games 2026 campaign with a commanding eight-wicket win over hosts Japan. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led India women’s national cricket team wrapped up the match in just five overs against Japan.
While India celebrated a dominant victory, concerns were raised about the condition of the cricket venue at Aichi-Nagoya for the Asian Games 2026. Reports from the ground highlighted poor conditions around the venue, including waterlogging near one of the boundary areas. Amid this, Women’s Andhra Premier League to WDPL: 10 famous women’s cricket leagues in India.
India Women make flying start in Asian Games 2026
India completely dominated Japan at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. The Indian bowlers dismissed the hosts for just 57 runs before chasing the target in just 5 overs. With the eight-wicket win, Harmanpreet Kaur and her team booked their place in the semi-finals.
India will now face Bangladesh on Sunday, September 20, at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin for the medal clash. In the other semi-final, Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka, with both matches deciding the teams that will fight for the Asian Games gold medal.
Waterlogging raises fresh questions over cricket venue
Despite the smooth result on the field, the condition of the venue has become a major talking point. Parts of the area near one of the boundary perimeters were reportedly waterlogged, making it difficult for players and reporters to move around freely.
This issue has once put the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games under the scanner, having already attracted attention over the decision not to have a traditional athletes' village. Amid this, New Bangladesh T20I captain: 2 stars in contention to replace Nigar Sultana.
The Olympic Council of Asia explained that organizers wanted to remain flexible and consider what would happen to such facilities after the Games. The decision was also linked to Japan’s circumstances and long-term plans.
The OCA acknowledged that having an athletes' village would be preferable but said practical considerations also mattered. Building a large village requires huge spending, and organizers have to think about how the facilities will be used after the tournament.
OCA confirms dedicated Athletes’ Villages for next two Asian Games
However, future editions of the Asian Games will not have the same issues. Doha 2030 and Riyadh 2034 will both have dedicated athletes' villages for participating athletes.
OCA Director General Husain A. H. Z. Al-Musallam said at a press conference, “We wish that we have an athlete village, number one. But, number two, we also have to be flexible. We need to listen to organizers and how they look for the future after the Games.
It's very easy to insist on Athletes Village; you spent such a large amount of money to build it, and then we need to see what's going to happen after the Games. Yes, an Athletes Village with a five-star rating is good, but at the end of the day we need to be practical.”
India Men enter Asian Games 2026 as defending champions
The Indian men’s cricket team will enter the 2026 Asian Games as the defending champions. The Shreyas Iyer-led Indian team will begin their campaign in the quarter-finals.
They will play Quarter-Final 2 on Monday, September 28, against the runner-up of Group A, which includes Afghanistan, Japan, and Nepal.
