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 1:13 PM IST
Badminton, Men’s Team Quarterfinals: Satwik-Chirag take opening game
Satwik-Chirag were locked in a close first game against former World Champions Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi.
The Indian pair, after trailing for a majority of the game, made it count with 21-18 win in opening game.
- 22 Sept 2026 1:07 PM IST
Soft Tennis, Men's Singles Group Stage: Jay Meena qualifies for quarterfinals after topping the group
With only two competitors in the group, Jay Meena comfortably booked his place in the last eight, following a 4-0 win over Hussain Arain of Pakistan.
This was enough for him to qualify as the group winner were bound to get a direct entry into the quarters.
He is now just a win away from the medal and will need to beat the Philippines' Sherwin Nuguit in the quarterfinal tomorrow.
- 22 Sept 2026 12:53 PM IST
Fencing, Women's Epee Individual Round of 16: Taniksha Khatri loses 9-15; No fencing medal today
India's lone remaining competitor Taniksha Khatri also faced an early exit in the round of 16 in the women’s épée competition.
The Indian fencer lost 9-15 to South Korea’s Sera Song and with Mitva Chaudhari, Hemash Singh and Sachin having earlier bowed out, India finished the day without a fencing medal.
- 22 Sept 2026 12:52 PM IST
Wushu, Women's Nanquan & Nandao final: Langlentombi Devi finishes 9th
Langlentombi Devi Hanjabam finishes ninth overall in the women's Nanquan & Nandao final with a score of 18.839 points.
In the first round, Langlentombi scored 9.436 points, earning 4.90 in quality of movement, 2.686 in overall performance and 1.85 in degree of difficulty.
- 22 Sept 2026 12:44 PM IST
Badminton, Men’s Team Quarterfinals: Turnaround for Lakshya
WHAT A WIN !!!!!
Lakshya Sen overcame five points deficit beat Japan's Kodai Naraoka in three games 11-21, 21-5, 21-19 to begin India's campaign in the quarterfinal with a win.
Up Next: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty v Takuro Hoki/ Yugo Kobayashi
- 22 Sept 2026 12:39 PM IST
Shooting, Skeet Men's Qualification: Anant Jeet Singh tied for the top position after day 2
Anant staged an impressive comeback on the second day of the skeet competition, hitting 49 out of 50 targets to raise his combined total to 96 out of 100.
He is now tied for the lead with three other shooters and will aim to maintain this form in tomorrow’s final series of 25 shots to secure a place in the final.
Meanwhile, Mairaj Ahmad Khan(91) and Bhavtegh Singh Gill (86) currently occupy 22nd and 35th positions respectively and are unlikely to qualify for the final.
The Indian men’s team sits outside the podium places, tied for fifth with a total of 273 and trailing the top three by five hits.
- 22 Sept 2026 12:38 PM IST
Badminton, Men’s Team Quarterfinals: Sen recovers and takes lead!
Lakshya was trailing 8-14 but recovered to gain some crucial points to level at 19-all.
Lakshya and Naraoka havve won a game each. Naraoka has won last 4 of their encounters. WIll he be able to change that?
- 22 Sept 2026 12:21 PM IST
Gymnastics, Women's Vault Qualification: Pranati Nayak scores 12.916 in Vault; currently in 4th place
Pranati Nayak scored a solid 13.0 on her first vault but then tried a less difficult routine on her second attempt and just scored 12.433 points.
Overall, she received a total score of 12.916 and is in 4th place after the second subdivision.
There will be four more teams in the final subdivision, and even if they score better than Pranati, she should still finish in the top 8, which is the criterion to qualify for the final.
- 22 Sept 2026 12:19 PM IST
Badminton, Men’s Team Quarterfinals: Sen on backfoot
Three successive points for the Indian to take him closer at 5-6. But Naraoka is in a hurry to finish, he knows Sen's strength is in long rallies. Score in third game 10-6 in favour of the Japanese.
