18 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : India begins its Asian Games 2026 campaign in earnest on Friday, September 18, with the women’s cricket team taking centre stage as the defending champions face Japan in the quarter-finals in Aichi-Nagoya. The match is scheduled for 10:30 AM IST at Korogi Athletic Park.
The Indian contingent will also be in action in soft tennis and teqball, making September 18 a busy day for Indian athletes ahead of the official opening ceremony on September 19.
Women’s Cricket Team Begins Gold-Medal Defence
The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women’s cricket team will begin its campaign directly in the knockout stage.
India won the women’s cricket gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, and the team will look to defend that title in Japan. Harmanpreet will lead the side, with Smriti Mandhana serving as deputy.
The squad also features key players including Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma, giving India a strong combination of experienced international performers and attacking options.
India vs Japan Quarter-Final
The quarter-final against Japan is scheduled for 10:30 AM IST.
It will be the first-ever women’s T20I meeting between India and Japan, adding another unusual chapter to the Asian Games competition. Japan are ranked 39th in women’s T20I cricket and are making their third appearance in Asian Games women’s cricket. Their best previous result was a bronze medal in 2010.
India enter the match after winning the Asia Cup, adding to expectations around the defending Asian Games champions.
India Could Face Bangladesh in Semi-Final
The knockout format means India’s match against Japan carries immediate significance.
If India advance, they are scheduled to face Bangladesh in the semi-finals on September 20. Bangladesh progressed after their quarter-final against China was abandoned because of rain, with Bangladesh advancing as the higher-ranked team.
Soft Tennis Team Also in Action
India’s men’s soft tennis team has a busy morning ahead.
The team is scheduled to play three Group C matches on September 18:
- 5:30 AM IST: India vs Laos
- 7:30 AM IST: India vs Chinese Taipei
- 9:30 AM IST: India vs Mongolia
A quarter-final is scheduled for 11:30 AM IST, subject to qualification.
Teqball Adds More Indian Action
India’s teqball campaign will also continue on Friday.
Quimcy Joaquim Dsouza is competing in women’s singles, while she will later partner with Mohamed Anas Imran Beg in mixed doubles.
Their schedule includes group-stage matches in the morning, followed by possible knockout and repechage action depending on qualification.
Where to Watch India’s Asian Games Action
For viewers in India, Asian Games events on September 18 are scheduled to be broadcast on Sony Sports Network.
The Business Standard reported that live streaming will be available through SonyLIV, while television coverage includes Sony Sports channels in multiple languages.
India’s Asian Games Campaign
The 2026 Asian Games are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with the overall Games scheduled from September 19 to October 4. Sporting events, including cricket and teqball, began before the opening ceremony.
India has sent a 503-member athlete contingent, comprising 269 men and 234 women, with athletes competing across 36 disciplines.