Asian Games Day 3: Cricket Gold Takes India To 7 Medals As Badminton, Wushu Assure More

India finally opened its gold-medal account at the 2026 Asian Games on Tuesday, with the women’s cricket team retaining its Asian Games title in emphatic fashion. India crushed Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the T20 final after posting 216 for 3, led by Smriti Mandhana’s 79, Shafali Verma’s 48 and Richa Ghosh’s unbeaten 49. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 69. Mandhana also became the first woman to cross 11,000 international runs. Pakistan won the bronze after beating Bangladesh.

The men’s badminton team produced another major result, beating hosts Japan 3-0 in the quarter-finals to assure India of a medal. Lakshya Sen fought back from 14-19 down in the deciding game against Kodai Naraoka before Satwik Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty and Ayush Shetty completed the victory. India will meet China in the semi-finals.

In wushu, Roshibina Devi defeated Macau’s Chu Man Sin 5-0 in the 60kg quarter-final, assuring herself of a third consecutive Asian Games medal. Her next medal will add to her silver from 2018 and gold from 2022.

There were mixed results elsewhere. India’s women’s table tennis team beat Thailand 3-2 to reach the quarter-finals, while the men lost 0-3 to South Korea. The women’s badminton team lost 1-3 to Japan, with PV Sindhu winning the opening game against Akane Yamaguchi but eventually losing the tie.

In boxing, Sakshi Chaudhary defeated Paris Olympic bronze medallist Aira Villegas 5-0. India’s men’s kabaddi team also dominated South Korea 63-31.

Shooting brought disappointment as Elavenil Valarivan and Parth Mane finished fourth in the mixed 10m air rifle final. Chetan Bhatt narrowly missed a karate bronze after a 1-1 defeat to Chinese Taipei’s Chung Meng-yu on the Senshu rule.

India also competed in fencing, swimming, soft tennis, equestrian, sepak takraw and eFootball, underlining a packed day across the Games. China remained the dominant force, leading the medal table, while Japan and South Korea also continued their strong medal runs.

With cricket gold added, India’s confirmed tally rose to seven medals, one gold, four silver and two bronze, with badminton and wushu assuring at least two more medals.