Indian athletes pursue cricket gold and crucial badminton victories
Defending champions India prepare for a crucial gold medal clash against Sri Lanka in women's cricket on September 22 at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Having captured the gold medal in Hangzhou four years ago, the national squad aims for consecutive top podium finishes when they step onto the Korogi Athletic Park field at 2:00 PM JST (10:30 AM IST). This highly anticipated fixture highlights a packed day of Indian athletic participation.
Badminton teams clash with host nation
India contests dual quarter-final matches against host nation Japan at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium. PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda, Devika Sihag, Tanvi Sharma, Isharani Baruah, Treesa Jolly, and Gayatri Gopichand anchor the women’s roster, with their tie beginning at 9:30 AM JST (6:00 AM IST). Later in the afternoon at 3:00 PM JST, the men’s squad takes the court. Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, HS Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth, alongside the renowned doubles pairing of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, will attempt to secure semi-final spots.
Shooters target air rifle Honours
Marksmen Parth Rakesh Mane and Elavenil Valarivan focus entirely on the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event. Their qualification round commences at 9:45 AM JST (6:15 AM IST), leading directly into the decisive medal rounds at 11:55 AM JST. Skeet qualification rounds also feature prominent national shooters. Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Bhavtegh Singh Gill, and veteran Mairaj Ahmad Khan compete for the men, while Parinaaz Dhaliwal, Raiza Dhillon, and Maheshwari Chauhan participate in the women's individual and team qualification divisions.
Hockey group action and combat sports
Following a dominant 13-1 opening victory against Indonesia, the men’s hockey team faces Sri Lanka in their second Pool A match at 3:30 PM. Boxers Sakshi Choudhary and Jadumani Singh enter the ring for their respective round of 32 bouts, with Choudhary competing in the 51 kg category at 9:00 AM and Singh in the 55 kg class at 10:30 AM. National competitors across fencing, equestrian, swimming, soft tennis, table tennis, karate, esports, and wushu also continue their preliminary schedules throughout the day, ensuring widespread Indian presence across multiple disciplines.
