Defending champions India kick off their Asian Games 2026 campaign beneath Harmanpreet Kaur, boasting a powerhouse lineup that features Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, and Richa Ghosh. They arrive with clear gold-medal ambitions and an aggressive, settled method across all departments. Japan enters the match as main underdogs, taking on one of many kind groups in fashionable international cricket. It is a uncommon, high-stakes exposure opportunity for the Japanese squad, who will be keen to check their execution in opposition to world-class opposition.
Squads:
Japan Ladies’s Cricket Staff
Erika Oda, Mai Yanagida (C), Akari Nishimura, Ahilya Chandel, Ayumi Fujikawa, Hinase Goto, Haruna Iwasaki, Shimako Kato, Meg Ogawa, Kurumi Ota, Seika Sumi, Elena Kusuda-Nairn, Nonoha Yasumoto, Erika Toguchi-Quinn, Ayaka Kato Stafford
India Ladies’s Cricket Staff
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Bharti Fulmali, Renuka Singh, Shafali Verma, Richa Ghosh, Shreyanka Patil, Nandani Sharma, Kranti Gaud, N Sree Charani, G Kamalini
Players to watch out:
Erika Oda
Featured in 51 matches from 2019 to 2026, Erika Oda has scored 802 runs across 49 innings. She holds the highest rating of 52* and an average of 18.22, remaining undefeated on 5 events. Scoring at a strike price of 84.59 off 948 balls, her tally consists of 1 half-century, 93 boundaries, and 3 sixes.
Ahilya Chandel
Energetic from 2022 to 2026, Ahilya Chandel has taken 41 wickets across 48 matches and 48 innings. Bowling 163.3 overs (981 balls) with 7 maidens, she boasts a disciplined financial system price of 4.69 and an average of 18.70. Her standout bowling efficiency is highlighted by greatest figures of 4/8 alongside 2 four-wicket hauls.
Smriti Mandhana
A key pillar in the batting lineup since 2013, Smriti Mandhana has amassed 4,751 runs in 176 matches and 170 innings up to 2026. She holds an average of 30.65 and a strike price of 126.55 from 3,754 balls, featuring a excessive rating of 124. Her prolific run-scoring consists of 2 centuries, 36 half-centuries, 639 fours, and 98 sixes.
Deepti Sharma
Spanning 154 matches between 2016 and 2026, Deepti Sharma has taken 182 wickets in 151 bowling innings. Delivering 542.2 overs (3,254 balls) with 14 maidens, she keeps runs tight with an financial system price of 6.28 and an average of 18.72. Her game-changing spells are backed by greatest figures of 5/10, one four-wicket haul, and a couple of five-wicket hauls.
Pitch:
Located in Nisshin, the pitch at Kōrogi Athletic Park features a natural grass floor with multiple taking part in strips that often affords early seam and swing motion for pace bowlers with the fresh ball. Once batters adapt to the bounce and pace, the floor becomes more and more true and cozy for strokeplay, whereas spinners tend to get moderate grip and switch because the match progresses into the middle overs.
Weather:
Nisshin is predicted to experience mostly sunny skies, making for excellent circumstances general. Temperatures will peak round 29°C during the day before dropping to a low of 21°C, accompanied by mild southwest winds round 9 mph and humidity levels near 74 %.
Fantasy Enjoying XI:
Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Bharti Fulmali, Erika Oda, Mai Yanagida, Akari Nishimura, Ahilya Chandel, Ayumi Fujikawa
Match Details:
Venue – Korogi Sports activities Park, Nisshin
Broadcast – Sony Sports activities, Sony Liv
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