India Begin Asian Games Cricket Defence Against Japan

Defending champions India will begin their Asian Games title defence as overwhelming favourites against hosts Japan in the women's quarterfinals in Nagoya on Friday.

India head into the continental showpiece following their record-extending eighth T20 Asia Cup triumph in Dubai, where they lifted the trophy last week.

The competition starts directly with the quarterfinals with no group stage matches, meaning one defeat is enough to end a team's campaign in the knockout format.