Harmanpreet wins toss; India opt to bat against Bangladesh in Asian Games semi-final

Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and India elected to bat in the Asian Games women's T20 semi-final against Bangladesh in Japan on September 20, 2026.

The match began with Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana opening the innings for India and Marufa Akter taking the new ball for Bangladesh. Players from both sides lined up for their national anthems before play; India’s Jana Gana Mana was followed by Bangladesh's Amar Sonar Bangla. Commentary noted Marufa had the new ball “in hand and is raring to go.”

Early in the innings Marufa Akter bowled to Shafali Verma and was defended or pushed for a single, and a fuller delivery was driven firmly by Shafali straight to mid off. Marufa's next notable delivery to Smriti Mandhana was short of a length and outside off, which Mandhana cut to deep point for a single.

Shreyanka Patil, speaking before the match, said she had “loved her time in Japan” and found everything “quite cute and animated”. She added she had tried sushi and intended to shoot some reels but had not had the time yet. Patil reflected that returning to the Indian team after “three or four months out with injury” was always going to be a challenge and that she was grateful to be back and looking forward to contributing.

On bowling plans Patil said the key was to hit the right lines and lengths and maintain accuracy as a bowling unit, with the aim of restricting Bangladesh to a low total before allowing the batters to take over. She said there was no added pressure in a knockout game, adding that pressure is good and something each player handles in their own way. Patil also said the team had been discussing the game, were excited about the opportunity to reach the final and that the dressing-room mood was very positive while enjoying the experience of playing cricket in a new country for the first time.

Bangladesh named Sobhana Mostary, Sharmin Akhter, Dilara Akter, Nigar Sultana (C/WK), Juairiya Ferdous, Shorna Akter, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Nahida Akter, Sanjida Akter Meghla and Marufa Akter in their playing XI. India fielded an unchanged XI: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, G Kamalini, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Richa Ghosh (WK), Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Nandani Sharma and Sree Charani.

With the match taking place in the Asian Games semi-final, the winner will advance to the final.