India women defend Asian Games title with five 2023 gold medallists returning

India begin their Asian Games women's cricket campaign in Aichi-Nagoya on Friday as defending champions, with five members of the 2023 gold-winning squad retained. Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh return for the title defence.

Harmanpreet leads the side again after guiding India to gold in Hangzhou three years ago. Mandhana serves as deputy, while Ghosh retains the wicketkeeping duties. The squad arrives after winning the Women's Asia Cup last week.

Head coach Amol Muzumdar called the tournament a teaser for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where women's cricket makes its debut. Harmanpreet said the team would carry its winning mindset into the Olympic cycle.