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 12:08 PM IST
Badminton, Men’s Team Quarterfinals: Sen equalise
It’s an easy-peasy second game for Lakshya Sen. Naraoka has offered little resistance in the closing stages, with Sen racing to a 19-4 lead.
Soon he takes the second game 21-5. On to the deciding game now!
- 22 Sept 2026 12:04 PM IST
Cricket, India W v/s Sri Lanka Final: India post a mammoth 216/3
This is a stunning, stunning effort from India. They were the favourites for gold medal and they have batted like it.
Shafali Verma (29-ball 48), Smriti Mandhana (45-ball 79), Richa Ghosh (49* off 22) all wielded their willows like sword as the women in blue post the highest total ever at the Asian Games!
IND: 216/3 (20)
- 22 Sept 2026 12:00 PM IST
Soft Tennis, Women's Singles Group Stage: Aadhya Tiwari bows out finishing second in group
Aadhya Tiwari's Asian Games campaign came to an end as she bowed out in the group stage of women's singles. She finished second in Group D, with only the group winner advancing to the next round.
She had started her campaign with a 1-4 defeat to Thailand's Alisha Ziegler in the first match and then defeated Pakistan's Kainaat Shallwani in straight games.
- 22 Sept 2026 11:59 AM IST
Badminton, Men’s Team Quarterfinals: Sen off to a stable start
Lakshya starts off better in teh second game with a 3-1 lead and then extending it to 8-2.
- 22 Sept 2026 11:52 AM IST
Badminton, Men’s Team Quarterfinals: Sen down by a game
Naaroka take the first game 21-11. This is not the start India or Lakshya Sen was hoping for. He now needs to win the next game to remain in the match.
- 22 Sept 2026 11:49 AM IST
Badminton, Men’s Team Quarterfinals: Lakshya Sen trailing by a big margin
Lakshya Sen is looking the plot early on in the first game. He is trailing 8-17.
- 22 Sept 2026 11:44 AM IST
Cricket, India W v/s Sri Lanka Final: Smriti Mandhana on a roll
Smriti Mandhana is on a roll after India opted to bat first in the women's cricket gold medal match.
She is currently batting on an unbeaten 79 off 44 with seven sixes!
IND: 163/3 (16.5 overs)
Smriti Mandhana in action during the 2026 Asian Games Final (Photo credit: PTI)
- 22 Sept 2026 11:33 AM IST
Badminton, Men’s Team Quarterfinals: India v Japan LINE UP!
Match 1: Lakshya Sen v Kodai Naraoka
Match 2: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty v Takuro Hoki/ Yugo Kobayashi
Match 3: Ayush Shetty v Koki Watanabe
Match 4: Hariharan Amsakarunan/MR Arjun vs Kakeru Kumagai/ Hiroki Nishi
Match 5: Kidambi Srikanth vs Yushi Tanaka
- 22 Sept 2026 11:29 AM IST
Fencing, Women's Epee Individual Round of 32: Taniksha Khatri wins; Mitva Chaudhari loses
Taniksha Khatri registered a 15-10 win in the round of 32 against Thailand's Natpapat Sangngio to progress to the next stage.
She is the only Indian fencer to progress to the last 16 today, as other Indian Epee fencer Mitva Chaudhari lost a very close bout to China's Jingwen Yang, 14-15.
Khatri will next take on Song Sera of South Korea.
