India Women rewrote their T20I record books with a crushing eight-wicket victory over Japan, completing a 58-run chase in just five overs to register their biggest win by balls remaining. The defending champions finished the quarter-final with 90 balls to spare, surpassing their previous mark of 84 balls against Thailand in 2022.The record-breaking win at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Friday also sent India into the semi-finals of the 2026 Asian Games, where they will face Bangladesh on Sunday for a place in the medal match.
India’s biggest T20I wins by balls remaining
| Balls remaining | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | Japan | Nisshin | 2026 |
| 84 | Thailand | Sylhet | 2022 |
| 70 | Bangladesh | Hangzhou | 2023 |
| 69 | Sri Lanka | Sylhet | 2022 |
| 68 | Pakistan | Dubai | 2026 |
Shree Charani leads India’s bowling demolition
After winning the toss and opting to field, India’s bowlers bundled Japan out for 57 in 19.5 overs. Shree Charani led the attack with four wickets, while Shafali Verma claimed two. Shreyanka Patil and Deepti Sharma picked up a wicket each.Ayaka Kato-Stafford top-scored for Japan with 25 off 47 deliveries, but the rest of the batting line-up struggled to cope with India’s disciplined bowling. Japan lost wickets at regular intervals and were unable to post a challenging total.
Shafali seals record win in five overs
India’s chase was swift and emphatic. Shafali Verma smashed an unbeaten 40 off just 15 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes, to put India firmly in control. India lost Gunalan Kamalini for a duck and Bharti Fulmali for six, but Japan could not capitalise on those breakthroughs. Richa Ghosh joined Shafali and scored an unbeaten 12 off six balls.With one run needed, Shafali finished the contest in style, launching Shimako Kato over long-on for a six. India reached 59/2 in five overs, sealing the win with 90 deliveries remaining.India’s record victory sets up a semi-final clash against Bangladesh, while Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in the other last-four encounter on Sunday. The semi-final line-up mirrors the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, where the same four teams reached the last four.
