India vs Japan Highlights, Asian Games women's quarterfinal: India storm into semis with 8-wicket win

On to the semis - A thoroughly one-sided contest, and India stamp their authority to cruise into the semifinals. With that, the expected four teams are through to the next stage. Sri Lanka Women take on Pakistan Women in the first semifinal, while India Women face Bangladesh Women in the second. The winners will advance to the final, in this case, the gold medal match, with the losers left to contest for the bronze. Both semifinals will be played on Sunday, 20th September, with the first ball of the first semifinal scheduled to be bowled at 12 am GMT (5.30 am IST). Until then, cheers!

A quick word with Sree Charani - Charani says she is enjoying her time in Japan and feels it is a great experience to be here and be part of the Asian Games. On her bowling, Charani says she has simply focused on sticking to her strengths and trying to get the ball to spin. Asked if she has had any time to look around Japan, Charani says the team took some rest following the Asia Cup final and the subsequent travel. She adds that they came in early today and went through their usual routines, having not had any practice coming into this game.

A day to remember, regardless of the scoreline - Every run drew a cheer from the Japanese faithful at the venue, with the occasion itself meaning more than the result against a heavyweight side like India. Little was expected of them, but Japan made a promising start. Haruna Iwasaki and Ayaka Kato Stafford put on 24 for the first wicket. Boundaries were hard to come by, but credit where it's due, the running between the wickets was sharp and proactive, with several twos picked up. They were the only two to reach double figures, though, and once both fell, the rest of the batting crumbled in a hurry, with Japan bowled out for a paltry 57. It was total spin domination from India Women. Sree Charani continued her fine run of form with a sensational four-wicket haul, Shafali Verma chipped in with two, and Deepti Sharma and Patil picked up one apiece to complete the rout.

Shafali steps up again - To their credit, Japan managed a couple of early wickets even defending as modest a total as 57. The bowling itself was far from threatening, and some slack has to be cut for the hosts there given the inexperience. But it was reckless shot selection more than anything from the likes of G Kamalini and Bharti Fulmali, who threw their wickets away. Both were handed a golden chance to finish things off themselves, and neither took it. It needed a Shafali Verma special instead, and she duly delivered, timing the ball beautifully and finding the gaps at will. Her belligerent 40 off 15 was more than enough to get India home.

Bossed up and how! Clinical with the ball, commanding with the bat, India Women have sauntered to a massive win, chasing the total down inside the Powerplay itself. They have also qualified for the semi-final with ease and they will face Bangladesh Women. Good scenes from the middle as Shafali and Richa share a warm hug before crossing over to greet the Japanese players. The players of Japan Women take a lap of the ground too, bowing to the crowd in each stand as a mark of gratitude for the support shown.

4.6: Shimako Kato to Shafali Verma, SIX! High and handsome. Shafali Verma hits the winning runs. India romp home in 5 overs and book their place in the semis. Kato floats it up there, right in the slot, on off. Verma clears her front leg and holds her shape, tonking it well beyond the long on fence for a biggie.

4.5: Shimako Kato to Richa Ghosh, Low full toss, on off. Ghosh just eases it to deep cover and gets to the other end.

4.4: Shimako Kato to Richa Ghosh, FOUR! Powered away. Kato errs in both line and length, outside off. Ghosh collapses her back knee and extends her hands as she slams it wide of long off. Ayaka Kato Stafford sprints to her left and dives, but her effort goes in vain. India go past 50 in 4.4 overs, and they need 6 more runs.

4.3: Shimako Kato to Shafali Verma, Bowled on a back of a length, outside off. Verma throws her hands at the ball, looking to force it through the off side. Chops it wide of cover, and the batters pick up a single.

4.2: Shimako Kato to Shafali Verma, FOUR MORE! Back of a length, outside off, skidding through. Verma waits for the ball to arrive, deliberately opens the bat face and threads the backward point and short third gap expertly for a boundary.

4.1: Shimako Kato to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Belligerent! A loose half-tracker outside off, Shafali Verma weighs back and steers it between cover and cover-point for a boundary.

A change in bowling as Shimako Kato comes on.

3.6: Nonoha Yasumoto to Shafali Verma, Had to hurry! Dragged back in length and around leg, worked away to the left of mid on, where the fielder dives full stretch for a superb stop. Both batters try to sneak through for a quick single, and there's a shy at the bowler's end, but the throw drifts wide of the target. They cross.

3.5: Nonoha Yasumoto to Richa Ghosh, Another overpitched delivery and Ghosh drags it wide of mid on for a single.

3.4: Nonoha Yasumoto to Shafali Verma, Very full and outside off, almost a yorker. Verma drives it along the turf to long off for a single.

3.3: Nonoha Yasumoto to Shafali Verma, Full on the stumps, eased down to mid on.

3.2: Nonoha Yasumoto to Richa Ghosh, Fuller in length, on off, Ghosh drives it to the left of mid off for a single.

3.1: Nonoha Yasumoto to Richa Ghosh, FOUR! Firmly driven away! Full in length, on the stumps. Ghosh gets on the front foot and smashes it gun-barrel down the ground to pick up her first boundary.

2.6: Ayaka Kato Stafford to Shafali Verma, SIX! Smoked down the ground! On a good length outside off, Shafali moves forward and lofts it cleanly over long off, holding her shape beautifully. 

2.5: Ayaka Kato Stafford to Richa Ghosh, Pushed through, full and around off, Richa gets on the front foot and strokes it down to long off for a single.

Richa Ghosh makes her way out to bat.

2.4: Ayaka Kato Stafford to Bharti Fulmali, OUT! TAKEN! Bharti, too, fails to get some runs under her belt. And honestly, that was a reckless shot from her. On a fuller length, on the off stump, Bharti Fulmali tries to play it aerially over the leg side but goes against the turn and gets a leading edge. The ball is lobbed towards backward point where Shimako Kato takes a simple catch. India Women are 24/2, chasing 58.

2.3: Ayaka Kato Stafford to Bharti Fulmali, FOUR! Crunched! Very full by Stafford, on off, Bharti Fulmali clears the front leg away and smokes it powerfully down the ground for a boundary.

2.2: Ayaka Kato Stafford to Bharti Fulmali, Short and on off, Bharti goes deep inside the crease and hacks it to deep mid-wicket. Oda from the in-field gives it a chase and tidies it up. Two runs taken and Bharti is off the mark.

2.1: Ayaka Kato Stafford to Shafali Verma, A leg break to start with, full around off, Shafali drives it inside out and wide of extra cover for a single.

Time for spin as the leggie Ayaka Kato Stafford comes on.

1.6: Nonoha Yasumoto to Bharti Fulmali, Full and wide outside off, Bharti Fulmali drives it straight to the fielder at cover-point. A small win for Japan as Nonoha bowls a wicket-maiden. India need 41 runs to win.

1.5: Nonoha Yasumoto to Bharti Fulmali, A touch short, on off, Bharti rocks back and knocks it to short cover.

1.4: Nonoha Yasumoto to Bharti Fulmali, Back of a length, outside off, Fulmali square cuts it to cover. The fielder makes a half sliding stop and the point fielder backs it up. 

1.3: Nonoha Yasumoto to Bharti Fulmali, Full-ish, outside off, Bharti drives it off the front foot to cover.

Japan's joy knows no bounds. Bharti Fulmali has been sent in at number 3.

1.2: Nonoha Yasumoto to G Kamalini, OUT! CAUGHT! Huge moment for Nonoha. She is ecstatic, and the Japanese players are all smiles. Yasumoto lands it full and on the leg stump line. G Kamalini tries to pump it over long on, but mistimes her lofted shot and airs it straight down the throat of Ahilya Chandel at long on. G Kamalini misses out on the opportunity after being promoted as the opener. India Women are 17/1.

1.1: Nonoha Yasumoto to G Kamalini, So nearly chopped on! Slightly back of a length, outside off, G Kamalini tries to cut it late, but gets a fat inside edge and luckily for her, the ball bounces past the leg stump.

India have raced off the blocks. Another left-arm quick has been introduced from the opposite end. Here's Nonoha Yasumoto. The keeper is standing up to the stumps.

0.6: Ahilya Chandel to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Absolutely clobbered! Serves it up there, full and wide on off. Shafali gets another chance to free her arms and she lifts it effortlessly over extra cover for another boundary. 17 runs off the opening over, and India need just 41 more runs to win.

0.5: Ahilya Chandel to Shafali Verma, On a back of a length, angled outside off, Shafali Verma looks to punch it away but chops it down the pitch.

0.4: Ahilya Chandel to Shafali Verma, Much better by Ahilya! Full and straight, on middle, Verma pushes it straight back at the bowler.

0.3: Ahilya Chandel to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Pierces the gap with ease and at will! Pushed across the batter, full in length. Shafali Verma leans on it and steers it magnificently through the gap between backward point and cover for a boundary.

0.2: Ahilya Chandel to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Up and over! Half-volley on the off stump. Shafali Verma brings her bottom hand into play and lofts it crisply over the mid off fielder for a boundary. Easy pickings.

0.2: Ahilya Chandel to Shafali Verma, WIDE! Sprays it down leg, on a length, Shafali misses to connect the pull. 

0.1: Ahilya Chandel to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Lovely shot to get off the mark! Pitched full and around the off stump. Shafali Verma gets on the front foot, presents the full face of the bat and knocks it over and wide of short cover for a boundary.

We are back. Japan's head coach Vinay Iyer, who has played club cricket in Mumbai in the past, is having a word with his troops in the huddle. A change up top for India as G Kamalini walks out to open with Shafali Verma. It will be the left-arm seamer, Ahilya Chandel, to start with the new ball. Shafali to face the first ball. Here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

India eye a quick finish - The Women in Blue need 58 runs to book their place in the semi-finals, where Bangladesh await. It is more a matter of when rather than anything else. Whether they make a change at the top and give someone like G Kamalini an opportunity to open remains to be seen. Japan, meanwhile, will look to make the task as difficult as they can for India and take as many positives as possible from the contest. Stick around as chase is coming up shortly.

Ranked 3rd vs 39th - Given the gulf between the two sides, it was always going to be a tough challenge for Japan after being asked to bat first. Neither of the two Indian pacers was particularly consistent with their lines and lengths, and they also did not attack the stumps enough. Ayaka Kato Stafford, who has represented Australia Under-19s in the past, has already shown plenty of promise in her short international career for Japan and looked the part with the bat. Through the middle phase, Japan found the Indian spinners tough to get away, with Sree Charani continuing from where she left off in the Asia Cup with another four-wicket haul.

Skittled out for 57 - Japan have fallen short of batting out their 20 overs, but getting as deep into the innings as they have against an Indian side boasting such quality in the spin department is no small achievement. Every run was cheered by the crowd that has turned up, and the Japanese batters have clearly looked to enjoy the occasion. And perhaps that is the biggest thing for them on a landmark day like this.

19.5: Shreyanka Patil to Nonoha Yasumoto, OUT! BOWLED! Done and dusted. Both the batters see the funny side of it. Japan Women have been bowled out for 57! A full delivery on the leg stump, Yasumoto makes room to swing it against the turn into the leg side. She misses, however, and the ball ricochets off her foot before trickling back onto the stumps. Shreyanka Patil also gets into the wickets in what's been a complete spin domination from the Women in Blue.

19.4: Shreyanka Patil to Nonoha Yasumoto, Swing and a miss! Pushed through, full and wide outside off, Nonoha Yasumoto tries to smash it behind covers, but the ball spins away after landing and beats the bat.

19.3: Shreyanka Patil to Nonoha Yasumoto, Into the blockhole, on middle, Nonoha carves it to short mid-wicket.

19.2: Shreyanka Patil to Ayumi Fujikawa, A bit quicker and fuller, around off, Ayumi Fujikawa walks forward and drags it through mid-wicket for a single.

19.1: Shreyanka Patil to Ayumi Fujikawa, Flights it, full on off, Ayumi stays back and taps it to cover-point.

Shreyanka Patil to bowl the final over.

18.6: Sree Charani to Nonoha Yasumoto, Pushed through, on off. Nonoha Yasumoto stays beside the line and tentatively blocks it out.

18.5: Sree Charani to Nonoha Yasumoto, Looped up, full and outside off, Nonoha gets on the front foot and strokes it to mid off.

Nonoha Yasumoto is the last batter.

18.4: Sree Charani to Erika Toguchi-Quinn, OUT! CAUGHT EASILY! The procession continues for Japan. Dishes out on a fuller length, on middle, Erika Toguchi-Quinn clears the front leg and tries to power it over mid on, but gets no timing on it whatsoever. Mishits it off the toe end and Shafali Verma at mid on, settles under it for a straightforward catch. Japan Women are 56/9 as Charani has her fourth wicket.

18.3: Sree Charani to Erika Toguchi-Quinn, Beaten! Massive turn, full and outside off, Erika Toguchi-Quinn pushes at it but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Erika Toguchi-Quinn is in at number 10.

18.2: Sree Charani to Akari Nishimura, OUT! CAUGHT! Sree gets her third wicket. She keeps it full in length and the ball spins in with a bit of bounce. Akari Nishimura is neither fully on the front foot nor she is on the back foot, and tries to clip it across to the leg side. Only manages a thick leading edge, and the ball spoons up and is taken easily by Bharti Fulmali at short mid-wicket. Japan Women are 56/8.

18.1: Sree Charani to Ayumi Fujikawa, Flighted up, on off. Ayumi Fujikawa hits it down towards mid on. A bit of hesitation but Ayumi eventually gets through for the single. Shafali Verma has a shy at the bowling end but misses. It would not have mattered anyway, as Fujikawa was in.

Sree Charani (3-2-9-2) is back for her final over. 

17.6: Deepti Sharma to Ayumi Fujikawa, Full and outside the leg stump, Fujikawa lofts it over mid on for a single.

17.5: Deepti Sharma to Akari Nishimura, Another full ball on the stumps, Nishimura looks to sweep it by getting low but gets an inside edge. The ball rolls behind to deep fine leg and they cross for a single.

17.4: Deepti Sharma to Ayumi Fujikawa, In front of the stumps, on a fuller length, Ayumi slogs it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

17.3: Deepti Sharma to Ayumi Fujikawa, Short outside off, punched off the back foot to cover.

Ayumi Fujikawa comes out to the middle.

17.2: Deepti Sharma to Akari Nishimura, OUT! AHILYA CHANDEL IS RUN OUT! A complete communication lapse between the batters. On a good length, outside off, Nishimura walks out of the crease and sweeps it towards Nandani at square leg. She slips while charging for the single, and Chandel is already halfway through. Ahilya gives up, and that gives Nandani Sharma enough time to pick and throw to the batting end. Ghosh does the rest. Japan Women are 52/7.

A massive mix-up, and Ahilya Chandel will have to walk back.

17.1: Deepti Sharma to Akari Nishimura, On a fuller length, on middle, Akari goes for the sweep shot but gets an inside edge on the pads.

Deepti Sharma returns.

16.6: Shafali Verma to Ahilya Chandel, Full on off, Chandel gently pushes it to short cover.

16.5: Shafali Verma to Ahilya Chandel, Beaten! Full from around the off stump. Lands and turns away to beat Ahilya's outside edge as she looks to defend.

Ahilya Chandel is in next. She has been with Delhi Capitals in the WPL as a net bowler.

16.4: Shafali Verma to Hinase Goto, OUT! HINASE GOTO IS RUN OUT! Another one bites the dust. Bowls it full and on off, and gets it to spin back in. Goto goes for the sweep but gets an inside edge and the ball shoots past the leg stump and rolls towards the deep fine leg. The batters turn back for the second run but Smriti's rocket throw to the keeper forces Goto to hurry. But she is found short of her crease as Ghosh collects the ball and whips the bails in a flash. Japan Women are 52/6.

Hinase Goto is the new batter.

16.3: Shafali Verma to Shimako Kato, OUT! CAUGHT! Number two for Shafali. Quicker through the air, on a fuller length, just outside off. Shimako Kato looks to pull it off the back foot, but badly mistimes it off the leading edge of her blade. The ball bobbles up and dips on the mid off fielder. Harmanpreet Kaur has to dive forward to complete the catch. Japan Women are 51/5.

16.2: Shafali Verma to Shimako Kato, Full again, on the leg stump, Kato clips it to deep backward square leg. Smriti Mandhana gets across to her left and cuts it off. Two runs taken. This brings the 50 up for Japan Women! In 16.2 overs.

16.1: Shafali Verma to Akari Nishimura, Pitched full and on off, Akari sweeps it to the right of the mid-wicket fielder for a single.

15.6: Shreyanka Patil to Shimako Kato, On middle and leg, on a fullish length, Kato gets back and across and tucks it to short mid-wicket.

15.5: Shreyanka Patil to Shimako Kato, Nicely floated up, full outside off, Kato drives it on the bounce to mid off.

15.5: Shreyanka Patil to Shimako Kato, WIDE! Way down leg, on a length. Kato lets it through.

15.4: Shreyanka Patil to Shimako Kato, Turns in on the pads, with a bit of bounce. Kato fails to connect the pull shot and is hit on the thigh pad.

15.3: Shreyanka Patil to Shimako Kato, On a fuller length, around off, Kato leans forward and keeps it out to the covers.

15.2: Shreyanka Patil to Shimako Kato, Loops it up nicely, full and outside off, Kato goes for a cover drive, but fails to connect and is beaten on the outside edge.

15.1: Shreyanka Patil to Shimako Kato, Spins in sharply on a length, Kato hangs back and stabs it back at the bowler.

Shreyanka Patil is back on. 2-0-6-0 so far for Patil.

14.6: Shafali Verma to Akari Nishimura, Beaten! Full and fast, outside off. Akari misreads the length and presses back to deal with it. Gets beaten past the outside edge.

There is a catching mid-wicket in place for the new batter.

14.6: Shafali Verma to Akari Nishimura, Wide! Spinning down leg, on the shorter side. Akari fails to help it away.

14.5: Shafali Verma to Akari Nishimura, This is pushed through, full and on middle. Nishimura rocks back to a full ball but manages to keep it out.

14.4: Shafali Verma to Akari Nishimura, Shorter than the previous ball, on middle. Akari Nishimura goes deep in the crease and blocks it out.

14.3: Shafali Verma to Akari Nishimura, Drags the length back, a bit of turn, on off. Akari pushes it to cover-point.

Shafali, too, gets into the wickets. Akari Nishimura walks in at number 6.

14.2: Shafali Verma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, OUT! CAUGHT! That is the end of Stafford's vigil. Verma gives the ball a bit of air, on a length, on middle. Ayaka shimmies down the track and tries to go over mid on. The shot is on, but she does not manage to get to the pitch of the ball. Gets it high on the bat and it is spooned to mid on, where G Kamalini does the rest.

14.1: Shafali Verma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Short and around off. Ayaka stabs it down from the crease.

13.6: Deepti Sharma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Slower now, on middle. Stafford steps out and eases it down to long on for a run.

13.5: Deepti Sharma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Full and on off, that is defended solidly off the front foot.

13.4: Deepti Sharma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, FOUR! Cleverly played! Deepti tries to fire in a full ball but this is too straight and it comes out as a low full toss. Stafford walks inside the line and uses the pace and the angle, paddling it fine down to the deep fine leg fence.

13.3: Deepti Sharma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Nice shot! Tossed up, on off and middle. Stafford reaches out in front and brings out the broom, beating the diving square leg fielder to her left. The fielder in the deep tidies up to her right. Two runs taken.

13.2: Deepti Sharma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Even fuller, on off. Stafford pushes it to mid off.

13.1: Deepti Sharma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Offers flight, on a length, on off. Ayaka lunges and tucks it to mid-wicket.

12.6: Shafali Verma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Leading edge but safe. Verma fires in a full ball at the sticks. Stafford closes the bat face to flick it away but she does so early and the ball catches a leading edge. It goes wide of point as the batters cross over for a single.

12.5: Shafali Verma to Shimako Kato, Good running! Quicker through the air, on a nagging length, on middle and leg. Kato drops it beside the strip on the leg side and hurries to the other end.

12.4: Shafali Verma to Shimako Kato, Attacks the stumps with a full ball. Kato presents the full face of the bat and plays it to the right of the bowler.

12.3: Shafali Verma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Drags the length back and this is slower through the air, on middle. Stafford steps out and heaves it in front of square on the leg side. They cross.

12.2: Shafali Verma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Full and fast, on off, Ayaka knocks it to cover.

12.2: Shafali Verma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Wide! Beyond the tramline on off. Ayaka lets it go.

12.1: Shafali Verma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Slightly short and on off, Stafford goes deep in the crease and guides it through third man for a couple of runs.

Shimako Kato is in at number 5.

11.6: Deepti Sharma to Erika Oda, OUT! CAUGHT! Erika Oda holes out. Sharma goes back to over the wicket and offers flight, full and a hint of turn, on off and middle. Oda gets down on a knee and gets the slog sweep away. She does not get the desired distance and hits it straight down the throat of Shreyanka Patil at deep mid-wicket, who takes it close to her chest.

11.5: Deepti Sharma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Another one that goes across the batter. Ayaka Kato Stafford reaches out in front and rolls her wrists over the ball on the sweep. Hits it to the right of deep mid-wicket for a single.

11.4: Deepti Sharma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Deepti switches to around the wicket and drifts it across the right-hander. Ayaka gets a good stride in and eases it back to the bowler.

11.3: Deepti Sharma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Tries to give more air but ends up serving a low full toss, on middle. Ayaka clips it to mid-wicket.

11.2: Deepti Sharma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Stays full, on off. Stafford defends it off the front foot.

11.1: Deepti Sharma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Around off, full in length. Stafford presses forward to smother the spin.

10.6: Shafali Verma to Erika Oda, Pushed through, wider on off, Oda has a flash at the ball but the ball is not short enough for the shot and she is beaten for pace as well.

10.5: Shafali Verma to Erika Oda, Drags the length back and it is slowed down, on off. Oda pushes it to cover.

10.4: Shafali Verma to Erika Oda, Fired in very full, on middle. Erika digs it out back to the bowler.

10.3: Shafali Verma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Tossed up, on middle. Stafford lunges and pushes it in front of mid on. G Kamalini is caught on her heels there and the batters pinch a quick single. Ayaka puts in a dive to get home. 

10.2: Shafali Verma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Shorter and a bit of turn, on off. Stafford taps it to cover from the crease.

10.1: Shafali Verma to Erika Oda, Flighted up, on off. Oda sinks to a knee in an attempt ot drag it over mid on. She spoons it in front of the mid on fielder and picks up a single.

DRINKS BREAK! India find themselves in control of the proceedings, but they have not been quite as sharp as they would have liked in the field. After the pacers struggled to find their lines and lengths, the spinners have brought discipline to the attack and made life difficult for the Japanese batters. Only 6 runs have come in the 5 overs since the end of the Powerplay, and that tells you just how tough Japan have found scoring. It is all part of the learning curve for them, but they will need to find a way to rotate the strike and keep the scoreboard moving. Shafali Verma to bowl after the break.

9.6: Deepti Sharma to Erika Oda, Dropped full and on middle, Erika Oda sweeps it to square leg, where a slight misfield allows them to pinch in a single. At the halfway stage of the innings, Japan Women are 30/2.

9.5: Deepti Sharma to Erika Oda, Tossed up, full on the stumps. Oda defends it to short mid-wicket.

9.4: Deepti Sharma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Had to hurry! Into the blockhole, on off, Ayaka Kato Stafford gets her bat down in time and shovels it to the backward point region and they hustle through for a quick run. The fielder, guess it's Fulmali there, is a fraction late to pick the ball and release the throw to the keeper and Oda skates to complete the single.

9.3: Deepti Sharma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, On off and full, Stafford sweeps it to the square leg region.

9.2: Deepti Sharma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Fuller and around off, carved away to mid off.

9.1: Deepti Sharma to Erika Oda, Full and outside off, Erika drags it down to long on for a single.

Deepti Sharma comes into the attack, replacing Shreyanka Patil.

8.6: Sree Charani to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Beaten again! Full and it bites away from the batter, Ayaka prods forward to play at it, but she plays inside the line and is beaten all ends up on the outside edge. Back-to-back maidens for Sree Charani.

8.5: Sree Charani to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Beautifully bowled again! Slides in, full and on off, and gets a sharp turn and bounce on it. Ayaka steps out to flick but misses, and Richa is quick to whip the bails off, but Stafford plonks her back leg inside the crease in the nick of time.

8.4: Sree Charani to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Jaffa! Drifts in on a fuller length and turns away sharply after pitching, on off. Ayaka Kato Stafford looks to flick it off the front foot, but the ball zips past her outside edge.

8.3: Sree Charani to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Turns away with a bit of bounce, short on off. Stafford gets across and bunts it down the pitch with soft hands.

8.2: Sree Charani to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Fuller now, on off, Ayaka drives it to G Kamalini at cover.

8.1: Sree Charani to Ayaka Kato Stafford, A shade shorter, on off, Ayaka hangs back and taps it to the covers.

Sree Charani to continue...

7.6: Shreyanka Patil to Erika Oda, Drops fuller around off, Erika Oda heaves it to the left of short mid-wicket and they dash through for the second run as well.

7.5: Shreyanka Patil to Erika Oda, Good stop! Flatter and fuller, on off, Oda pushes it to the right of the bowler and Patil, this time, makes a fine diving stop off her own bowling.

7.4: Shreyanka Patil to Erika Oda, Overpitched on the stumps, Erika flicks it across to short mid-wicket.

7.3: Shreyanka Patil to Ayaka Kato Stafford, On middle and full, Ayaka gets on the front foot and drags it to the right of the bowler. Shreyanka dives to her right on the follow-through but the ball seeps through to mid on for a single.

7.2: Shreyanka Patil to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Too full and outside off, Ayaka carves it down to mid off.

7.1: Shreyanka Patil to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Serves it full and on middle, Kato works it to short mid-wicket.

6.6: Sree Charani to Erika Oda, Another full delivery, around off, Erika pushes it to the mid off region. A highly successful over from Sree. A double-wicket maiden from her.

6.5: Sree Charani to Erika Oda, Full again, spinning away, Oda taps it out to backward point.

6.4: Sree Charani to Erika Oda, Full and on middle and off, blocked off the front foot by Oda.

The vice-captain of this Japanese side, Erika Oda, walks out to face the hat-trick ball.

6.3: Sree Charani to Mai Yanagida, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! One brings two, they say. Sree lands it on a good length and turns away from the batter, outside off. Mai Yanagida has a loose poke at it, playing away from her body and barely moving her feet. Gets a faint outside edge and Richa Ghosh grabs it cleanly behind the stumps. She appeals for caught behind, and up goes the finger. At first, it looked like Charani was not so sure about the edge. That's the Japanese captain gone on a golden duck, and Japan Women are 24/2. Charani is on a hat-trick.

The skipper is in at number 3. Here's Mai Yanagida.

6.2: Sree Charani to Haruna Iwasaki, OUT! CAUGHT! And there's the first wicket. Sree Charani breaks through for the Women in Blue. Dishes out a full ball, on the off stump and gets the ball to turn away a shy bit. Haruna Iwasaki gets low on her knee and looks to slog sweep it over mid-wicket, but gets undone by the slowness of the surface. The timing goes awry and she top edges it behind mid on. Shafali Verma runs over her right shoulder, sees the ball like a hawk and takes a well-judged catch. Japan Women are 24/1.

6.1: Sree Charani to Haruna Iwasaki, Short and around off, Haruna rocks back and steers it on the bounce to backward point.

The Powerplay is done, and having come through it unscathed, that is certainly a box ticked for Japan.

5.6: Shreyanka Patil to Haruna Iwasaki, Slightly fuller than the previous ball, on the stumps, Iwasaki pulls it to deep square leg for a single. Japan Women end their Powerplay with 24/0 on the board.

5.5: Shreyanka Patil to Haruna Iwasaki, Comes from around the stumps now. Drifts it across the batter, on a good length with a bit of bounce. Haruna stays put and chips it on the bounce to the left of the bowler.

5.4: Shreyanka Patil to Haruna Iwasaki, Big turn from outside off, short in length, Haruna plays off the back foot and tucks it to mid on.

5.3: Shreyanka Patil to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Pushed through, full and on middle and leg, Stafford clips it gently through wide mid on for a single.

5.3: Shreyanka Patil to Ayaka Kato Stafford, WIDE! Slides it way down leg, does Patil. Ayaka gets across and misses the pull. Ghosh collects it to her left.

5.2: Shreyanka Patil to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Fuller now, around off, gently pushed back to the bowler.

5.1: Shreyanka Patil to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Starts from over the stump. Lands it short and outside off, spinning in sharply. Ayaka makes a tight leave.

Shreyanka Patil is into the attack now. She replaces Nandani Sharma.

4.6: Sree Charani to Haruna Iwasaki, FOUR! Up and over! A confident shot from Haruna Iwasaki, and that will help her feel a lot better. Flighted up by Charani, a bit too full, on off. Haruna puts her head down, gets under the ball and pumps it over the mid on fielder. 9 runs off Charani's first over.

4.5: Sree Charani to Haruna Iwasaki, A swing and a miss! Looped up, full and spinning away. Haruna swings for the hills but is beaten as the ball spins past the blade.

4.4: Sree Charani to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Flat and short, on off. Ayaka plays a short-arm jab as she works it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

4.3: Sree Charani to Ayaka Kato Stafford, FOUR! Edged away. That's the first boundary of the contest, much to the delight of the crowd and the Japanese dugout. Floated up by Charani, on a length, outside off. Stafford is not to the pitch of the ball and pushes away from her body. The ball takes an outside edge and stays away from the reach of the slip fielder. The backward point fielder gives chase, but the ball wins the race.

4.2: Sree Charani to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Spears it in very full, on middle. Stafford takes it on the full and knocks it to mid on.

4.1: Sree Charani to Ayaka Kato Stafford, A hint of turn, slightly on the shorter side. Stafford stay back and dabs it to backward point.

4 doubles in 12 runs from these two. Iwasaki and Stafford have been proactive with their running between the wickets which is very impressive to see. And spin is introduced with Sree Charani replacing Kranti Gaud.

3.6: Nandani Sharma to Haruna Iwasaki, Another slower one by Sharma, full and around off. Haruna swings through the line and even though she does not quite get hold of it, she clears the back-tracking Harmanpreet Kaur at mid off. The long on fielder gets around and mops it up but she cannot prevent the batters from taking the second run. Stafford puts in a dive at the bowling end to make her ground safely.

The on-field umpire is having a bit of a chat with the two Japanese openers. Not sure what it is about. Also, the physio rushes out to check on Iwasaki. Looks like she overstretched on the dive and needs some treatment. All good to continue now.

3.5: Nandani Sharma to Haruna Iwasaki, Good awareness shown by the two batters. It is the back-of-the-hand slower one, on a good length, on middle and leg. Iwasaki is undone by the slowness of the delivery and is beaten on the flick. The batters pick up a leg bye as the ball drops beside the strip on the off side. Richa Ghosh gets to the ball and has a shy at the bowling end but misses. Haruna was gone had the throw hit. The ball dribbles down to long on and the batters sneak in the second run on the overthrow. Richa Ghosh and Nandani Sharma get into an argument as Ghosh wanted the bowler to get behind the stumps to collect the throw.

3.4: Nandani Sharma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Moving away in the air, on a length. Stafford leans across and opens the bat face to guide it behind point for a single.

3.3: Nandani Sharma to Haruna Iwasaki, Pulls the length back, on middle, Haruna hacks it across through mid-wicket for a single.

3.2: Nandani Sharma to Haruna Iwasaki, A touch fuller and swinging away from off, Iwasaki knocks it down the ground off the inner half of the bat. The ball bounces over the leaping bowler and rolls down to mid off.

3.1: Nandani Sharma to Haruna Iwasaki, Beaten! On a back of a length, shaping away, wide outside off, Haruna tries to cut it away but the ball skids through and beats the bat.

2.6: Kranti Gaud to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Slightly fuller and on the stumps, angling in, Kato gently clips it to the mid-wicket region.

2.5: Kranti Gaud to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Nearly chopped on! Nipping in sharply, on a length, Ayaka Kato Stafford tries to punch it away from her body but gets a thick inside edge and the ball goes past the leg stump to deep fine leg. They cross for a couple of runs.

2.4: Kranti Gaud to Ayaka Kato Stafford, On a length, around off, Ayaka Kato Stafford hangs back and knocks it to cover.

2.3: Kranti Gaud to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Back of a length, on middle and leg, this is tucked off the back foot to mid on.

2.2: Kranti Gaud to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Angled in from middle, on a good length. Ayaka Kato Stafford blocks it off the back foot to the leg side.

2.1: Kranti Gaud to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Beaten! Angled in on a back of a length, on off. Ayaka flashes but fails to make any connection.

1.6: Nandani Sharma to Haruna Iwasaki, On a length, on off. Haruna pushes it to mid off.

1.5: Nandani Sharma to Haruna Iwasaki, Sharma brings the stumps into play with a full ball. Haruna has a swipe at the ball but mishits it towards mid on.

1.5: Nandani Sharma to Haruna Iwasaki, Wide. It swings beyond the tramline. This time, Iwasaki tries to reach it but fails to make any connection.

1.4: Nandani Sharma to Haruna Iwasaki, Prodigious swing for Sharma. Around the tramline, fuller in length. Iwasaki lets it be.

1.3: Nandani Sharma to Haruna Iwasaki, In and around the off stump, the length is pulled back a bit. Haruna has a jab at the ball and hits it without much timing towards mid on.

1.2: Nandani Sharma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, On middle and leg, angled in on a good length. Ayaka Kato Stafford plays around her front pad as she drops it in the vacant mid-wicket region and picks up a single to open her account. The single is applauded by the Japanese dugout.

1.1: Nandani Sharma to Ayaka Kato Stafford, Steams in from over the wicket and gets the ball to curve away in the air, on a length. Ayaka makes a watchful leave.

It's going to be pace from both ends. Nandani Sharma will share the attack. Two slips in place.

0.6: Kranti Gaud to Haruna Iwasaki, Fuller in length, around off. Iwasaki has a swing at it but the bat turns in her hand and she mistimes it to cover.

0.5: Kranti Gaud to Haruna Iwasaki, Beaten! It takes off a bit after landing, on a nagging length, outside off. Haruna pushes at the ball and is beaten for pace and bounce.

0.4: Kranti Gaud to Haruna Iwasaki, Angled in at the sticks, full in length. Iwasaki knocks it to mid off.

0.3: Kranti Gaud to Haruna Iwasaki, Haruna Iwasaki and Japan are underway! Gaud stays on a back of a length, on off. Iwasaki gets on top of the bounce and punches it through covers. Two fielders give chase and haul it in. Haruna is off the mark with a couple of runs.

0.2: Kranti Gaud to Haruna Iwasaki, And again! This is closer to the off stump, slightly on a back of a length. Haruna hangs back and hops to punch it away but the ball seams away a touch to go past the bat.

0.1: Kranti Gaud to Haruna Iwasaki, A play and a miss! Scrambled seam ball, not all that short, in the channel. Haruna Iwasaki stays beside the line of the ball and attempts the cut but is beaten for pace.

Done with all the pre-match rituals. Kimigayo and Jana Gana Mana are given their due as well. It's now time to get this historic match underway at Nisshin. The two umpires have made their way out and the Indian players spring out to take their fielding positions. Haruna Iwasaki and Ayaka Kato Stafford are the two Japanese openers. Kranti Gaud has the new ball and is raring to go. Iwasaki is on strike. Here we go...

We are just a few minutes away from the first ball, but before that, both teams have lined up for their respective national anthems. It will be Japan's first, followed by India's.

In conversation with Richa Ghosh (Translated from Hindi) - Richa says it feels great to be playing in Japan for the first time. On recovery, she says the team focused on what needed to be done and is now ready to go. She adds that confidence is sky-high after their Asia Cup triumph, and the team will work hard to carry that momentum into the Asian Games. On the conditions in Nisshin, Ghosh highlights that there was some rain around, so they have planned accordingly and are prepared to adapt. She stresses the importance of keeping things simple, adding that the team is not dwelling on winning gold at the previous Games and will start afresh. As for her batting mindset, Ghosh says she intends to keep it simple - hit the ball when it is in her zone and follow the 'see the ball, hit the ball' approach. When asked about exploring Japan, Ghosh says she has not had much time yet, having arrived only a day or two ago, but plans to do so in the coming days. She adds that she is particularly keen to try ramen and sushi, her favourite, along with other famous local dishes.

Milestone approaching for Mandhana - The stylish Indian opener notched up a couple of milestones during the Asia Cup, and another one could be ticked off today, with Smriti closing in on Suzie Bates (4758 runs) for the most runs in Women's T20Is. Mandhana needs 8 more runs to overtake the Kiwi legend and become the leading run-scorer in the format.

India Women (Playing XI) - Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Richa Ghosh (WK), G Kamalini, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Sree Charani and Nandani Sharma.

Japan Women (Playing XI) - Haruna Iwasaki, Erika Oda, Hinase Goto, Akari Nishimura (WK), Mai Yanagida (C), Ayaka Kato Stafford, Ahilya Chandel, Shimako Kato, Ayumi Fujikawa, Erika Toguchi-Quinn and Nonoha Yasumoto.