Asian Games
Asian Games 2026: Women's cricket brings India's first gold - Highlights
Highlights from Asian Games 2026 on September 22, with India in action in cricket, badminton, shooting, hockey, table tennis, kabaddi, boxing, wushu and more.
Asian Games 2026 LIVE: India eye cricket gold – Blog, updates (Photo credit: PTI)
India finally opened its gold medal account at the Asian Games 2026 on September 22, with the women’s cricket team beating Sri Lanka by 147 runs to retain the title.
Batting first, India posted 216, powered by a 99-run opening stand between Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, followed by a late assault from Richa Ghosh. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 69 in 15.4 overs, with India’s spinners sharing the wickets.
Badminton provided another major boost as India’s men’s team secured a medal by beating Japan 3-0 in the quarterfinals. Lakshya Sen began the tie with a three-game win over Kodai Naraoka before Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated former world champions Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi. Ayush Shetty then sealed the tie against Koki Watanabe.
On the hockey field, India’s men produced another dominant display, defeating Sri Lanka 16-1. Jugraj Singh scored four goals while Abhishek added three.
Wushu also added to India’s medal tally, with Roshibina Devi reaching the podium in the women’s 60kg category. In boxing, Sakshi Chaudhary defeated 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Aira Villegas 5-0, while Jadumani Singh also began his campaign with a unanimous win.
There were setbacks too. Elavenil Valarivan and Parth Rakesh Mane finished fourth in the mixed 10m air rifle, while India’s women’s badminton team lost 1-3 to Japan in the quarterfinals. The women’s table tennis team also bowed out after losing 0-3 to North Korea in the last eight.
India’s men’s badminton medal ensures another podium finish, while several other events remain in contention as the Games continue.
Highlights:
Live Updates
- 22 Sept 2026 7:49 AM IST
Badminton, Women’s Team quarterfinal: Unnati down by a game
Unnati concede the opening game 16-21. India are already training in this tie 0-1.
- 22 Sept 2026 7:47 AM IST
Sepak Takraw, Men's Team Regu: India trail 0-2 to Malaysia
The Indian men’s team lost 0-2 to Malaysia in their second match of the group stage. They conceded the second match in straight sets 9-15, 12-15.
The third match is in progress.
- 22 Sept 2026 7:43 AM IST
Table Tennis, Women's Team: Yashaswini Ghorpade forces a decider!
Yashaswini Ghorpade, the reigning national champion, is putting up a fight. She has forced Suthasini Sawettabut into a decider in the second match.
She won the first game 11-8, before conceding the next two 5-11, 7-11. She wins the fourth 11-9.
- 22 Sept 2026 7:41 AM IST
Badminton, Women’s Team quarterfinal: Unnati holding on at 12-all
Unnati has kept her composure in the second match so far. The scores are 12-all in the first game.
Meanwhile, she needed a brief moment of medical attention for a bruised finger.
- 22 Sept 2026 7:30 AM IST
Badminton, Women’s Team quarterfinal: Unnati in action
Unnati Hooda, World No. 23, is up against World No. 9 Tomoka Miyazaki.
The Indian has the upper hand so far, leading 6-4 in the opening game.
- 22 Sept 2026 7:24 AM IST
Swimming, 1500m Freestyle: Aryan Nehra in action
Long distance swimmer Aryan Nehra will be in action in Final B. Look out for Lane 4.
Aryan holds the national record of 15:14.88s, set at the Senior National Aquatic Championships 2026.
Aryan is training in Fance under a World Aquatics scholarship.
- 22 Sept 2026 7:23 AM IST
Soft Tennis, Men's Singles: Jay Meena starts with a win
Jay Meena begins his men's singles soft tennis Group D campaign with a 4-2, 4,0, 4-2, 4-0 straight games win over Pakistan's Hussain Arain!
- 22 Sept 2026 7:18 AM IST
Badminton, Women’s Team quarterfinal: Sindhu loses first singles
PV Sindhu lost a hard-fought opening match to Akane Yamaguchi 23-21, 18-21, 11-21 in over an hour and 12 minutes.
Sindhu won the opening set but went on to concede the second.
India now trails 0-1 in the team quarterfinal.
Unnati Hooda will take on Tomoka Miyazaki in the next match.
