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 6:45 AM IST
Table Tennis, Women's Team R16: Sreeja Akula on a roll
India's highest ranked paddler is on off to a rock solid start. Sreeja Akula takes the opening two games 11-7, 11-1.
She is just outplaying Orawan, winning the second game in a mere two-and-a-half minutes.
- 22 Sept 2026 6:36 AM IST
Badminton, Women’s Team quarterfinal: Second game on
After that ruthless first game, Sindhu begins more aggressively in teh second. The Indian is making some unforced errors along the way.
A smash goes in the nets for Sindhu. The score in favour of Yamaguchi at 3-2.
- 22 Sept 2026 6:34 AM IST
Table Tennis, Women's Team R16: India v/s Thailand
The Indian women's table tennis team, who have been in stellar touch so far this Asian Games, start their knockouts campaign.
They are up against heavyweights Thailand, the reigning Asian Games bronze medallists. Can Sreeja Akula and co punch above their weight?
LINE UPs
Sreeja Akula v/s Orawan Paranang
Yashaswini Ghorpade v/s Suthasini Sawettabut
Diya Chitale v/s Jinnipa Sawettabut
Yashaswini Ghorpade v/s Orawan Paranang
Sreeja Akula v/s Suthasini Sawettabut
- 22 Sept 2026 6:33 AM IST
Badminton, Women’s Team quarterfinal: Sindhu take first game 23-21
18-all from 14-17! PV Sindhu is stepping up at the right moment and has a game point in the first set. But an error in judgement levels the scores at 20-all. A nail-biting moment here!
Yamaguchi punishes Sindhu's mistake with a smash to earn her first game point.
Yamaguchi then commits an unforced error, sending a forehand into the net, and it's 21-all.
Sindhu gets her second game point. The rallies are getting longer and smarter as both players refuse to give away.
A cross-court winner does it for India! PV Sindhu takes the first game 23-21.
- 22 Sept 2026 6:27 AM IST
Shooting, Skeet Qualification Day 2: Eyes on Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Raiza Dhillon
The men's and women's skeet qualification Day 2 will also start in minutes from now at the shotgun range.
There was not much to write home in how the Indians fared on the opening day. Anantjeet Singh Naruka (47 hits) in men's skeet, and Raiza Dhillon (46 hits) in women's skeet stay in contention to make their respective individual finals.
The others including Parinaaz Dhailwal (44), Maheshwari Chauhan (42), Mairaj Khan (45), and Bhavtegh Singh Gill (44) seem to be a bit too far to catch up to the leaders.
Anantjeet Singh Naruka at 2026 Asian Games (Photo credit: PTI)
- 22 Sept 2026 6:22 AM IST
Badminton, Women’s Team quarterfinal: Sindhu in fightback mode
What a comeback from PV Sindhu! She trailed 6-10 but slowly fought her way back to take the lead at 13-12 for the first time in the match.
But Yamaguchi was quick to take four points on the trot to take lead once again at 17-14.
- 22 Sept 2026 6:22 AM IST
Shooting, Mixed 10m air rifle: Elavenil Valarivan consistency
Elavenil Valarivan has been around the Indian setup since before the covid-19 years. She was once one of the youngest in shooters in the team and is now one of the more seasoned professional.
What keeps her going?
She reveals the secret behind her consistency in this story by Abhijit Nair, here.
- 22 Sept 2026 6:18 AM IST
Shooting, Mixed 10m Air Rifle: The Parth Mane story
Parth Mane started shooting seriously during the covid-19 lockdown, when his family built a shooting range inside their home for him.
He has since grown steadily in stature, winning the junior world championship medals and is on his Asian Games debut.
Read more about him in this story by Ritu Sejwal, here.
Parth Mane (left most) on the podium with teammates Rudrankksh Patil (centre) and Himanshu Dhillon after winning men's 10m air rifle silver (Photo credit: PTI)
- 22 Sept 2026 6:14 AM IST
Shooting, Mixed 10m air rifle: Elavenil Valarivan back in action
Elavenil Valarivan returns to action for India in the shooting range. She'll stride out for the Mixed 10m air rifle qualification in a bit, where she is paired with Parth Mane, who won the team silver in men's event yesterday.
- 22 Sept 2026 6:12 AM IST
Badminton, Women’s Team quarterfinal: Sindhu trails 6-9
PV Sindhu trailed 1-4 but fought back with some sharp backhand cross-court and down-the-line smashes.
She managed to level at 5-all before losing some points in quick succession to trail 6-9.
A lot is at stake in this match against Japan. The winner will confirm at least a bronze.
