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 8:31 AM IST
Karate: Men's Kumite 84Kg Bronze Medal Bout: Chetan Bhatt loses on Senshu; misses out on podium
Chetan Bhatt faces back-to-back defeat as he lost his bronze medal bout to Chinese Taipei's Meng-Yu Chung on Senshu.
In a close fight, the scores were tied at 1-1 after full time, but Chetan lost the bout on Senshu, which is given to the person who scores the unopposed first point in the bout
This meant that Chetan's campaign at the Asian Games will come to an end with a 5th-place finish.
- 22 Sept 2026 8:20 AM IST
Karate, Men's Kumite 84Kg Semi-final: Chetan Bhatt faces defeat; will fight in bronze medal bout
Chetan Bhatt who had a bye in the quarterfinals, faced a heavy 08 defeat to Jordan's Mohammad Alja'fari in the semis.
The Jordanian athlete scored five Yukos and an Ippon to take a win over Chetan.
He will fight for bronze against Chinese Taipei's M Chung.
- 22 Sept 2026 8:20 AM IST
Badminton, Women’s Team quarterfinal: Unnati loses in straight games
Unnati Hooda lost to Tomoka Miyazaki 16-21, 18-21 in 47 minutes.
India now trails 0-2 in the tie against Japan.
Up Next: Treesa Jolly/ Gayatri Gopichand v Yuki Fukushima/ Mayu Matsumoto
- 22 Sept 2026 8:14 AM IST
Fencing, Men's Foil Individual Pool Stage: Hemash Singh and Sachin advance to R32
Hemash Singh and Sachin both advanced to the round of 32 after each taking three wins in the pool stage to finish 4th in their respective pools.
They will return for the knockout stage at 10 AM IST, where Hemash will take on Galim Nurumov of Kazakhstan, and Sachin is up against Timofey Semyonov of Kazakhstan.
- 22 Sept 2026 8:12 AM IST
Badminton, Women’s Team quarterfinal: Unnati concede 11-4 lead, now trails
Unnati was leading 11-4 in the second game and as the finish line approaches, Unnati is trailing 15-16. What a comeback from Akane Yamaguchi.
Unnati lost the opening game 16-21.
- 22 Sept 2026 8:06 AM IST
Swimming, 1500m Freestyle: Aryan Nehra 20s off his best
Aryan nehra clocked 15:34.71s in the men's 1500m freestyle final. He finished fourth in his heat. The overall postion will be decided in the evening after all the heats of 1500m freestyle are complete.
Aryan was 20 seconds off his best of 15:14.88s, a national record, clocked at the Senior National Aquatic Championships 2026.
- 22 Sept 2026 7:55 AM IST
Badminton, Women’s Team quarterfinal: Unnati leading 7-4
Unnati has started the second game on a very positive note, leading 7-4. A three-point cushion could come in handy during the crucial stage and give the young Indian a much-needed confidence boost.
- 22 Sept 2026 7:54 AM IST
Table Tennis, Women's Team: Yashaswini Ghorpade WINNS!
The national champion stands up. Yashaswini Ghorpade weathers the storm to beat Suthasini Sawettabut 11-8, 5-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9!
IND 1-1 THA
