Asian Games 2026: India women bat first vs Bangladesh in SF at Korogi
Synopsis
India's women's cricket team, fresh off an eighth Asia Cup title and a demolition of Japan in the quarters, face a Bangladesh side that hasn't played a single match in Nisshin — progressing only because their quarterfinal was washed out. The defending Asian Games champions are chasing back-to-back gold, and history — 22 wins in 25 meetings — is firmly on their side.
Key Takeaways
India won the toss and elected to bat first against Bangladesh in the Asian Games women's cricket semifinal at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin on 20 September .
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur named an unchanged XI from the quarterfinal, where India beat hosts Japan comfortably.
Bangladesh have not played a match in Nisshin — their quarterfinal against China was washed out; they advanced on ranking.
India are the defending Asian Games champions , having beaten Sri Lanka in the 2023 final, and are also the reigning Asia Cup title holders (eighth title).
Bangladesh have beaten India on only 3 of 25 occasions in head-to-head history.
India's women's cricket team won the toss and elected to bat first against Bangladesh in the Asian Games women's cricket semifinal at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on 20 September. The defending champions enter the last four as clear favourites, carrying momentum from a dominant quarterfinal campaign and a recent Asia Cup title.
India's Unchanged Lineup
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur named an identical playing XI to the one that dismantled hosts Japan in the quarterfinal — a comfortable, one-sided victory that booked India's place in the semifinals for the second consecutive Asian Games. The continuity signals a settled, confident squad with no injury concerns heading into the knockout fixture.
India arrive at this semifinal on the back of winning their eighth Asia Cup title just days earlier. Notably, Bangladesh were eliminated by India in the Asia Cup semifinal in Dubai, making this a swift rematch between the two sides on an even bigger stage.
Bangladesh's Unusual Path to the Semis
Bangladesh, by contrast, enter the match without a single ball bowled in Nisshin. Their scheduled quarterfinal against China was washed out entirely, and they advanced to the semifinals by virtue of holding a higher ICC ranking than their opponents. The lack of match practice on the venue could be a significant disadvantage against a well-oiled Indian unit.
The head-to-head record offers little comfort for Bangladesh either — India have won 22 of the 25 meetings between the two sides, with Bangladesh claiming victory on only three occasions.
Defending Champions Chasing Back-to-Back Gold
India are the reigning Asian Games gold medallists, having beaten Sri Lanka in the final of the 2023 Hangzhou Asiad. The semifinal lineup this time bears a striking resemblance to the previous edition, with India once again among the last four as the team to beat. A win today sets up a final that could mirror the 2023 climax.
Playing XIs
India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Bharti Fulmali, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Richa Ghosh (WK), Gunalan Kamalini, Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil, Sree Charani, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud.
Bangladesh: Dilara Akter, Juairiya Ferdous, Sobhana Mostary, Nigar Sultana Joty (C & WK), Shorna Akter, Sharmin Akter, Sanjida Akter Supta, Rabeya Khan, Nahida Akter, Marufa Akter, Sultana Khatun.
All eyes will be on whether India can continue their dominant run and advance to what could be a gold-medal decider befitting the defending champions.
Point of View
Eliminated from their last encounter with India at the Asia Cup, and with a head-to-head record that tells a bleak story — three wins in 25 attempts. The more significant question is whether India's depth, particularly among the lower-order bowlers, gets a genuine test before a final that is likely to be far harder. Back-to-back Asian Games gold would cement this generation as the most decorated in Indian women's cricket history, yet the real benchmark — the ICC Women's T20 World Cup — still awaits.
NationPress
20 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the toss in the India vs Bangladesh Asian Games women's cricket semifinal?
India won the toss and chose to bat first against Bangladesh in the Asian Games women's cricket semifinal at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, on 20 September.
Is India's XI the same as in the quarterfinal?
Yes, India fielded an unchanged playing XI from their quarterfinal match against Japan. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur kept the same squad that brushed aside the hosts comfortably.
How did Bangladesh qualify for the semifinal?
Bangladesh advanced to the semifinal without playing a match in Nisshin. Their quarterfinal against China was washed out, and they progressed because they held a higher ICC ranking than China.
What is India's head-to-head record against Bangladesh in women's cricket?
India have dominated the head-to-head, winning 22 of the 25 meetings between the two sides. Bangladesh have beaten India on only three occasions.
Are India the defending Asian Games women's cricket champions?
Yes, India are the defending champions, having won gold at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games by defeating Sri Lanka in the final. They are now chasing back-to-back gold in Nisshin.
