India’s men’s cricket team, led by Shreyas Iyer, has received direct entry into the quarter-finals of the 2026 Asian Games, while a potential clash against arch-rivals Pakistan can only take place in the final.
The draw for the cricket competitions was announced on Friday, confirming the qualification structure for both the men’s and women’s tournaments. Along with India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have also been granted direct qualification to the men’s cricket knockout stage. The remaining six teams will compete in a preliminary round to secure the four available quarter-final spots.
The men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games will feature a total of 10 teams. The preliminary round will determine the final teams joining the four direct qualifiers in the knockout stage. Afghanistan, Japan and Nepal have been placed in one group, while Hong Kong China, Malaysia and Oman will compete in another group. The top-performing teams from this stage will progress to the quarter-finals and continue their medal pursuit. The tournament format means India and Pakistan, two of the biggest cricketing rivals, will not meet in the early knockout rounds.
If both teams advance through the competition, their only possible meeting will come in the gold medal match, setting up the possibility of another high-profile contest between the two sides. India enters the tournament as the defending champion after winning the men’s gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. The Indian team will look to continue its dominance in the shortest format, with T20 cricket being used for the competition. Shreyas Iyer has been named captain of the Indian men’s side for the event.
The women’s cricket competition will also follow a similar knockout structure, with eight teams participating. India’s women’s team, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, will begin its campaign against Japan. The defending champions have also been awarded direct entry into the knockout stage and will aim to retain their title. Cricket will make its fourth appearance at the Asian Games after previously featuring in Guangzhou 2010, Incheon 2014 and Hangzhou 2023. The inclusion of the sport has provided emerging cricket nations with an opportunity to compete alongside established teams on a major multi-sport platform.
The 2026 Asian Games cricket matches will be played in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, with the men’s tournament scheduled from September 24 to October 1. The women’s event will take place from September 17 to 22. With India entering as defending champions and a potential India-Pakistan final on the cards, the cricket competition is expected to attract significant attention from fans across Asia. The tournament will also offer players valuable international exposure as teams prepare for future global competitions.