1 October 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : India’s campaign at the 2026 Asian Games enters a crucial phase on Thursday, October 1, with the Indian men’s cricket and hockey teams scheduled to play their respective semi-finals. Several other Indian athletes will also compete across archery, shooting, wrestling, squash, cycling, rugby and other disciplines as the Aichi-Nagoya Games move toward their final stages.
The men’s cricket team will take on Sri Lanka in the second semi-final at 10 am IST. India advanced directly to the last four after its quarter-final against Afghanistan was abandoned because of persistent rain. As the higher-seeded side, India progressed to the semi-finals under the tournament rules. Sri Lanka also moved through after its quarter-final against Nepal was abandoned.
The cricket contest carries additional significance for India because the team is defending the gold medal won at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou. Led by Shreyas Iyer, India will look to secure a place in the final and remain in contention for another gold medal in the men’s T20 competition. The other semi-final will feature Pakistan against Bangladesh earlier in the day.
The men’s hockey semi-final will be another major attraction on October 1. India will face Pakistan at 1 pm IST at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium. The match brings one of the most prominent rivalries in Asian hockey back into focus, with both teams competing for a place in the gold-medal match.
India enter the hockey semi-final after an unbeaten run in the pool stage. The team defeated Bangladesh 10-0 in its final pool match on September 28, with captain Harmanpreet Singh scoring a hat-trick. India had earlier recorded major victories during the group phase, including wins over Indonesia, Sri Lanka, South Korea and Japan.
The hockey contest is particularly important because the Asian Games gold medal carries significance for Olympic qualification. India’s men’s team will therefore be seeking not only a place in the final but also a strong finish in a tournament that serves as an important pathway toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle.
The Indian women’s hockey team has already booked its place in the women’s final after defeating South Korea 2-0 on September 30. India will face China in the gold-medal match, giving the women’s team an opportunity to compete for the top prize after an unbeaten run through the competition.
Beyond cricket and hockey, Indian athletes will be involved in several important events throughout Thursday. Archery will feature prominently, with Chikitha Taniparthi scheduled to compete in the women’s compound individual quarter-final at 5:30 am IST. Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru is scheduled to compete in the men’s compound individual quarter-final at 9:47 am.
Shooting will also provide a medal opportunity for India. The men’s 25m rapid-fire pistol competition continues, with Anish Bhanwala among the Indian competitors. The second stage of qualification is scheduled in the morning, followed by the final later in the day if the qualification requirements are met.
Wrestling is another sport in which several Indian athletes will be in action. Competitors are scheduled across Greco-Roman and women’s wrestling events, adding to India’s list of potential medal opportunities on a busy day of competition. The Indian contingent will also feature in squash, where both the women’s and men’s teams have reached the semi-final stage.
The women’s squash team is scheduled to face Hong Kong, China, while the men’s team will take on Malaysia in their respective semi-finals. These contests could add to India’s medal tally as the Games approach their concluding stages.
Cycling track events will also feature Indian participation, including the women’s sprint and women’s Madison competition. Rugby sevens will see the Indian women’s team take on Hong Kong, China, followed by another pool match against China later in the afternoon.
Golf is also on the schedule, with Indian golfers competing in the second round of the men’s and women’s individual and team stroke-play events. Veer Ahlawat, Saptak Talwar and Yuvraj Sandhu will represent India in the men’s competition, while Pranavi Sharath Urs, Diksha Dagar and Aditi Ashok will compete in the women’s event.
The busy schedule reflects India’s broad participation across the Asian Games, with athletes competing for medals at different venues in Aichi-Nagoya. The final phase of the competition is expected to produce several high-profile contests, particularly in team sports where India’s men’s cricket and hockey sides remain in contention for gold.
The cricket semi-final against Sri Lanka and the hockey semi-final against Pakistan are the two headline fixtures for Indian fans on October 1. The cricket match is scheduled for 10 am IST, while the hockey semi-final begins at 1 pm IST.
India’s schedule also includes important individual events in the morning, meaning the country’s medal prospects will extend well beyond the two headline semi-finals. Archery, shooting, wrestling, squash, cycling and rugby will all contribute to a packed day for the Indian contingent.
With the Games entering their final stretch, every result becomes increasingly important for athletes competing for medals and teams attempting to reach championship matches. India’s men’s cricket and hockey teams will be at the centre of attention as they attempt to progress to their respective finals, while athletes across other disciplines continue their pursuit of medals on October 1.