Photo via Hindustan Times

Harmanpreet Kaur’s bunch looks to make another Asian Games final with a win over Bangladesh

Reigning champions India are set to face Bangladesh in the women's cricket semifinals at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Nisshin on Sunday, aiming to secure at least a silver medal and continue their pursuit of gold. Harmanpreet Kaur's squad enters the contest following a commanding eight-wicket victory over Japan, whom they dismissed for 57 runs before Shafali Verma hit an unbeaten 40 off 15 deliveries to wrap up the chase with 90 balls remaining.

Bowling spearheaded that quarterfinal triumph, anchored by Shree Charani's 4 for 10. Bangladesh reached the final four after their scheduled match opposite China was completely rained out without a delivery bowled.

Historically, India boast a 22-3 edge over Bangladesh across 25 Twenty20 Internationals, though Bangladesh famously upset them in the 2018 Asia Cup final and last defeated them in 2023. Tensions also remain elevated following an incident at the recent Asia Cup semifinals in Dubai, where Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana avoided shaking hands with Kaur at the coin toss.

India will rely heavily on their in-form lineup, including Smriti Mandhana—who scored 59 off 39 in their triumphant Asia Cup final—alongside lead spinners Deepti Sharma and Charani, who topped the regional tournament with 14 and 12 wickets respectively.