Nisshin, September 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India’s No. 1-ranked T20I bowler Sree Charani continued her impressive run at the Asian Games, claiming a second successive four-wicket haul as the defending champions bowled hosts Japan out for just 57 in the women’s quarterfinal at Korogi Sports Park on Friday.
The young left-arm spinner returned figures of 4-10 from her four overs, playing a decisive role in dismantling Japan’s batting line-up after the hosts made a steady start.
Shafali Verma claimed two wickets, while returning from a lengthy injury layoff, Shreyanka Patil and Deepti Sharma picked up one wicket apiece as India’s bowlers combined to restrict Japan to a modest total.
India elected to bowl first and Japan’s openers Haruna Iwasaki and Ayaka Kato-Stafford negotiated the opening spell without losing a wicket. Japan reached 24/0 at the end of the six-over powerplay.
The momentum shifted soon after the powerplay, with Charani making the breakthrough by dismissing Iwasaki for 10. She then trapped Japanese captain Mai Yanagida behind for a golden duck.
Deepti joined the wicket-taking effort by having Erika Oda caught at deep mid-wicket for five, while Shafali removed Kato-Stafford for 25 off 47 balls, making her Japan’s top scorer.
Shafali later dismissed Shimako Kato for three with a quicker delivery in the 17th over. Japan suffered two run-outs in quick succession, with Hinase Goto dismissed for one after a mix-up and Ahilya Chandel also run out in the 18th over.
Japan slipped to 53/7 in 17.2 overs before Charani returned to complete her second consecutive four-wicket haul. She dismissed Akari Kano, caught at short mid-wicket off a leading edge, before Erika Toguchi Quinn was caught by Shafali at long-on after top-edging an attempted shot.
Shreyanka then wrapped up the innings by bowling Nonoha Yasumoto for a duck, with Japan bowled out for 57.
India, the defending Asian Games champions, now need 58 runs to progress to the semifinals.
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