India Moves Into Asian Games Semi-Finals After Rain Washes Out Quarte…

India are through to the Asian Games semi-finals of the men’s cricket tournament. Their quarter-final against Afghanistan was abandoned because of rain. The match was called off 16 minutes before the toss. The outfield in Nisshin was too wet for play.

No ball was bowled. So the result was decided by seeding. India were the higher-seeded team. That came from their ICC T20I ranking. Afghanistan were the lower seed. So India advanced, and Afghanistan were eliminated. newsindata.com

This is the second Asian Games in a row where Afghanistan have exited because of a washout against India. In 2023 at Hangzhou, they reached the final. That match was also washed out. India were declared winners because they were the higher seed. Afghanistan had to settle for silver.

India will now play in the second semi-final on Thursday. Their opponent will be the winner of the Nepal vs Sri Lanka quarter-final. That match is on Tuesday. If that game is also washed out, Sri Lanka will go through. Sri Lanka are one of the four seeded teams. The others are India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Earlier on Monday, the first quarter-final between Hong Kong and Pakistan was also abandoned before the toss. Pakistan advanced because of their higher seeding.

So both of Monday’s quarter-finals were decided by rain, not cricket. India and Pakistan are now in the semi-finals. Afghanistan and Hong Kong are out. The tournament continues to be affected by bad weather in Japan.

Pakistan Advance After Rain Washes Out Quarter-Final Against Hong Kong

Pakistan are through to the Asian Games semi-finals of the men’s cricket event. Their quarter-final against Hong Kong was abandoned because of rain. Not a single ball was bowled. The match was called off at the toss. Heavy showers in Nisshin left the ground too wet for play. Much of the field stayed under covers all day.

With no result possible, the tournament rules decided the outcome. Pakistan were the higher-ranked team in the ICC rankings. So they moved on, and Hong Kong were knocked out.

Pakistan were one of the four seeded sides that went straight into the quarter-finals. The others were India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Hong Kong had to earn their place. They finished second in Group B. They beat Malaysia by eight wickets. They lost to Oman by 41 runs. That was enough to reach the last eight.

This match would have been the third T20I between Pakistan and Hong Kong. They had met twice before. Pakistan won both times. One was at the 2022 Asia Cup. The other was at the 2023 Asian Games.

Pakistan will now play in the semi-finals on Thursday. Their opponent will be the winner of the fourth quarter-final between Bangladesh and Malaysia. That match is also at risk of being affected by the weather.

Asian Games 2026: India and Pakistan Advance to Semi-Finals

The men’s cricket tournament at the Asian Games has been hit hard by rain. Two quarter-finals on September 28 were called off without a single ball being bowled. The first was Pakistan against Hong Kong. The second was India against Afghanistan.

In the India match, the toss had not even taken place. Officials stopped it 16 minutes before the scheduled start. The outfield was wet, and rain was still falling. Conditions never improved enough to play.

When a knockout match cannot be played, the tournament rules decide who moves on. The team with the higher ICC T20I ranking advances. Pakistan are ranked 6th, so they went through. India are ranked 1st, so they also advanced. Hong Kong and Afghanistan were eliminated.

The semi-finals are set for October 1. Pakistan will face the winner of Bangladesh vs Malaysia. That quarter-final has not been decided yet. India will play the winner of Sri Lanka vs Nepal. That match is also still pending.

The final and the bronze medal match will both be played on October 3.

FAQs

Q. Why did India reach the Asian Games semi-finals?

A. Their quarter-final against Afghanistan was washed out by rain.

Q. Why did India advance after the washout?

A. India were the higher-seeded team.

Q. Who will India face in the semi-final?

A. They will face the winner of Nepal vs Sri Lanka.

Q. Why did Pakistan reach the semi-finals?

A. Their quarter-final against Hong Kong was also abandoned.

Q. Which teams were eliminated after Monday’s washouts?

A. Afghanistan and Hong Kong were eliminated.

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When Ancy Sojan looked into the camera and the host at the athletics stadium introduced her before the start of the women’s long jump final, she did a laughing Vijay Thalapathy. Hair done up in braids and beads hanging behind her ears, wearing a traditional nose-pin and glitters over her eyes, she did something which few in the Paloma Mizuho Stadium would be able to decipher. She laughed and peered into the camera over a pair of dark sunglasses. Intrigued and at first a little unsure I checked with my colleague Anjana who was seated across from me, and who is from Kerala, like Ancy. Yes, she laughed, it has to be Vijay.

Ancy was tipped to win gold and she was almost there. But the Chinese contender, Huang, got that last monster jump. A gold for Ancy could have made her a household name in India, for that’s when most of us wake up really. But so far as her aura goes, it’s something so layered that it goes way beyond the colour of the medal. How this persona evolves will be something to look out for in the long run.

Ancy and Tejaswin Shankar are the two Indian athletes here in Nagoya who have a noticeable star aura. An aura that goes beyond sporting performances and into the purely cinematic, or into a storytelling that goes beyond the stadium.

While TJ is clearly the made-for-the-spotlight beast who poses for the cameras to make a power statement, Ancy’s persona is one that is more rooted, layered and grounded. It’s also one that draws on codes that are part of popular culture, whether the Thalapathyathy stance or her own taking of position before her jumps, so very markedly Kollywood.

Tejaswin and Ancy both exude excesses. For the former, it’s a well orchestrated, structured and almost choreographed cinematic excess. For Ancy, more interestingly, it’s an un-structured and more amorphous excess, which stays undirected. She’s not really exuding power, like Tejaswin, it’s more carnivalesque, somewhat like bodies in a pride parade that want to exist simply on their own terms. And it makes a statement greater than a more structured display of power. Her excess before the cameras is on her own terms, it’s very personal, and it bears testimony to her journey, and her roots.

Two women athletes at these Games carry that kind of rooted aura — one is of course the inimitable Mirabai Chanu, an icon, the other is the younger Ancy.

Also Read: Two centimetres from gold: Ancy Sojan’s silver comes with a sting

The post Indian pop culture at Asian Games appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.

New Delhi [India], September 28 (ANI): Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif lauded Virat Kohli for his remarkable run in ODIs, saying the star batter’s fitness, hunger, dedication and consistency are qualities that the youth can learn from.

Kaif recalled the criticism Kohli faced after being dismissed for consecutive ducks during India’s tour of Australia, with some questioning whether the former India captain could continue at the highest level.

“I still remember when Virat Kohli was out for consecutive ducks twice in Australia; people started commenting that Virat Kohli can no longer do it and should retire. Since then, do you know what Virat Kohli has done? Since then, he has played 11 innings, scored over 900 runs, including four centuries—and I am talking about ODIs," Kaif said in a video shared on his X handle.

Kaif highlighted that Kohli has achieved these numbers despite playing only 11 ODI innings in a year and not featuring in Tests or T20Is.

“In one year, he played only 11 innings, which means about one match per month. Normally, there aren’t so few matches. Despite playing just one match a month, and despite not playing Tests or T20Is, look at the way he batted in this match. He is known as a boundary hitter, but in this match, Virat Kohli hit nine sixes," he added.

15k ODI runs for the King. His last 11 ODI scores are 74 n.o 135, 102, 65 n.o 93, 23, 124, 5, 65, 74, 139 n.o in this game. At the age of 37, he has been in the form of his life. Virat Kohli, what a player. pic.twitter.com/wnc82U6V1X

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 27, 2026

Kaif also praised Kohli’s unbeaten 139 off 88 balls, which included nine sixes and 10 fours during the first ODI against the West Indies, which helped the Men in Blue chase down the target of 296 runs.

“Nine sixes, ten fours, 139 not out off just 88 balls. He has never done this before—this is something new, a new avatar that Virat Kohli has brought out. If your bat works, no one can touch you. Virat Kohli made up his mind about this. He plays in the IPL, becomes a back-to-back champion with RCB, and wins Man of the Match in both finals," the former cricketer said.

Kaif further said Kohli’s performances in ODIs demonstrated his commitment to the format and his ability to maintain a high standard.

“Here, in ODIs, he scores runs in every match. He is doing a fantastic job. That is why I say, what can youth learn from him? Youth can learn fitness. Youth can learn hunger, dedication, penance, hard work, and how to maintain that standard," he said.

“Whenever he puts on the blue jersey for India, his ultimate goal is to remain not out and win the match. That is Virat Kohli. This is what you can learn from him. Many congratulations on reaching 15,000 runs—well done, Virat Kohli, and all the best for the future," Kaif concluded.

Kohli’s sensational knock not only helped India in the chase but also saw the right-handed batter breach the 15,000-run mark in ODI cricket and register his 86th international century. He also rewrote several records during his memorable innings.

Chasing a target of 296, Kohli remained unbeaten on 139 off 88 balls, smashing 10 fours and nine sixes at a strike rate of over 157. His nine sixes were the most he has hit in a single ODI innings. With the knock, Kohli’s ODI tally rose to 15,080 runs in 315 matches and 303 innings, at an imposing average of 59.13. His record includes 55 centuries and 79 fifties, with a highest score of 183.

Earlier, batting first, the West Indies set India a target of 296 after Justin Greaves scored a century and Amir Jangoo remained unbeaten on 58 off 43 balls.

The West Indies got off to a strong start with a 135-run opening partnership, but India’s bowlers managed to keep the opposition below the 300-run mark. Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming four wickets.

During India’s chase, captain Shubman Gill also produced a strong batting performance, scoring 110 and providing India with a solid foundation. However, Kohli took centre stage with his unbeaten 139, guiding India towards the target while completing another significant milestone in his illustrious ODI career. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

IND vs WI 1st ODI Highlights: Shubman Gill-led India secured an 8-wicket victory against Shai Hope-led West Indies in the 1st ODI match played at Greenfield Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram.

Match No	West Indies Tour of India 2026
Match	India vs West Indies, 1st ODI
Date	Sunday, September 27, 2026
Toss	India won the toss and opted to bowl
Venue	Greenfield Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
Result	India won by 8 Wickets

IND vs WI 1st ODI Playing 11

India

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul(w), Naman Dhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna

West Indies

John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope(w/c), Amir Jangoo, Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales

IND vs WI 1st ODI Scoreboard

Team	Scoreboard
West Indies	295-7 (50 ov)
India	300-2 (41.4 ov)

IND vs WI 1st ODI Scoreboard

West Indies Batting

Batting		R	B	M	4s	6s	SR
John Campbell	c Prasidh Krishna b Kuldeep Yadav	62	60	88	6	3	103.33
Justin Greaves	lbw b Kuldeep Yadav	101	108	161	12	0	93.51
Keacy Carty	c Shubman Gill b Prasidh Krishna	13	31	46	0	0	41.93
Shai Hope (c)†	c Jadeja b Kuldeep Yadav	12	11	14	1	0	109.09
Amir Jangoo	not out	58	43	76	7	1	134.88
Jewel Andrew	c Sharma b Kuldeep Yadav	0	1	1	0	0	0
Roston Chase	b Prasidh Krishna	24	32	37	3	0	75
Matthew Forde	c Naman Dhir b Nitish Kumar Reddy	7	12	21	0	0	58.33
Gudakesh Motie	not out	4	4	4	0	0	100

India Bowling

Bowling	O	M	R	W	ECON	0s	WD	NB
Prasidh Krishna	10	0	60	2	6	32	3	0
Nitish Kumar Reddy	5	0	45	1	9	8	0	2
Gurnoor Brar	10	0	60	0	6	32	4	0
Ravindra Jadeja	10	0	54	0	5.4	27	0	0
Naman Dhir	5	0	33	0	6.6	7	0	0
Kuldeep Yadav	10	1	40	4	4	34	2	0

India Batting

Batting		R	B	M	4s	6s	SR
Rohit Sharma	c Andrew b Joseph	32	35	55	2	3	91.42
Shubman Gill (c)	c Andrew b Chase	110	108	150	13	1	101.85
Virat Kohli	not out	139	88	132	10	9	157.95
Ruturaj Gaikwad	not out	13	19	37	0	0	68.42

West Indies Bowling

Bowling	O	M	R	W	ECON	0s	WD	NB
Jayden Seales	7	0	32	0	4.57	28	1	0
Matthew Forde	5	0	39	0	7.8	12	1	0
Alzarri Joseph	9	1	81	1	9	25	0	0
Gudakesh Motie	10	0	66	0	6.6	20	0	0
Roston Chase	10	0	64	1	6.4	22	0	0
Keacy Carty	0.4	0	17	0	25.5	0	1	0

2026 IND vs WI 1st ODI Highlights

To Watch 2026 IND vs WI 1st ODI Highlights Click >> HERE

Player of the Match

Kuldeep Yadav | India

I actually loved the batting from Shubman and Virat bhai, it was a special inning from them. It feels awkward to receive the Man of the Match award, seeing the way Virat bhai batted, it was an outstanding inning.

I think personally I liked my rhythm, to be very honest. I was very calm in my rhythm and just trying to bowl whatever I felt like bowling, just varying the pace, variations were superb, just reading the batters, where they’re going to hit me, and yeah, I found it very good in rhythm.

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