India Advances to Asian Games 2026 Cricket Semi-Finals After Rain Washout Against Afghanistan

The quarterfinal clash between India and Afghanistan at the Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, was called off due to persistent rain, handing India a spot in the semi-finals based on their superior seeding. The match never got underway, with the toss and play abandoned entirely.

Match Details

• Venue: Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin
• Captains: Shreyas Iyer (India), Darwish Rasooli (Afghanistan)
• Toss Result: Match abandoned
• Match Officials: Gazi Sohel, Prageeth Rambukwella (on-field umpires), Viswanadan Kalidas (third umpire), Chris Thurgate (fourth umpire), Kamran Chaudary (match referee)
• Result: India won as match abandoned due to rain
• Player of the Match: Not awarded

What Happened?

Rain prevented any play from happening in this crucial knockout game at the Asian Games 2026. Because the match could not be played, India progressed to the next round courtesy of their higher ranking in the tournament seedings.

India now awaits their opponent in the semi-finals, which will be either Sri Lanka or Nepal. The semifinal is scheduled for October 1.

Squad Strength and Expectations

India’s team, led by Shreyas Iyer, included key players such as Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, and Axar Patel, combining strong batting depth with a formidable bowling attack spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, supported by Arshdeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi.

Afghanistan’s lineup, captained by Darwish Rasooli, featured experienced cricketers like Karim Janat, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Ishaq, and Nangeyalia Kharoti. Despite their efforts, the team faced a tough challenge against a full-strength Indian side.

Win Probability Before Abandonment

• India: 100%
• Afghanistan: 0%

Predicted Playing Elevens

• India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh/Jasprit Bumrah, Jasprit Bumrah
• Afghanistan: Mohammad Akram, Hassan Eisakhil, Karim Janat, Darwish Rasooli (Captain), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Ishaq (Wicketkeeper), Ismat Alam, Nangeyalia Kharoti, Abdollah Ahmadzai, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Arab Gul Momand

Asian Games Men's Cricket Schedule Highlights

• September 24: Afghanistan vs Japan (9:00 AM JST), Hong Kong China vs Malaysia (2:00 PM JST)
• September 25: Hong Kong China vs Oman (9:00 AM JST), Afghanistan vs Nepal (2:00 PM JST)
• September 26: Japan vs Nepal (9:00 AM JST), Malaysia vs Oman (2:00 PM JST)
• September 28 (Quarter-finals): Pakistan vs Hong Kong China (9:00 AM JST), India vs Afghanistan (2:00 PM JST)
• September 29 (Quarter-finals): Sri Lanka vs Nepal, Bangladesh vs Malaysia
• October 1: Semi-final 1 - India vs TBD
• October 3: Bronze medal match and Final

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