Asian Games 2023: India storms into semi-final in rain affected match

Rain seems to be following the Indian cricket teams everywhere. After multiple stoppages in the men’s Asia Cup tournament, now it’s the women’s Asian Games. Due to rain, the match between India and Malaysia in the women’s qualifier match has to be called off in Hangzhou on Thursday.

Rain plays spoilsport in the quarterfinal clash between India & Malaysia ⛈️#TeamIndia will play its semi-final on September 24 🏏#SonySportsNetwork #AsianGames #Hangzhou2022 #TeamIndia #Cheer4India #IssBaarSauPaar pic.twitter.com/w0suPjpMzj

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 21, 2023

The match was reduced to a 15-over contest after the rain. The Indian batters performed exceptionally well, posting a total of 173 for the loss of 2 wickets. The huge total was primarily contributed by the stellar performances of opener Shafali Verma, skipper Smriti Mandhana, who contributed 27 runs from 16 balls, and Jemimah Rodrigues, who smashed 47 runs from 29 deliveries. Richa Ghosh played a cameo, contributing 21 runs from just 7 balls, which propelled the Indian team to post an impressive total.

.@TheShafaliVerma was a class act with the bat in the 19th #AsianGames quarter-final 🏏💥

React to her 🔥innings in one emoji 💬#SonySportsNetwork #Hangzhou2022 #TeamIndia #Cheer4India #IssBaarSauPaar pic.twitter.com/v7TVVeKB9K

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 21, 2023

Shafali Verma showcased her batting supremacy, smashing an electrifying knock of 67 off just 39 balls as India reaches the semifinals of women’s cricket at the Asian Games. It was the result of India’s better ICC rankings when the quarter-final clash was prematurely abandoned due to adverse weather conditions on Thursday.

.@JemiRodrigues put her foot on the accelerator at the right time 🔥

The ⭐ batter smashed an unbeaten 47 off just 29 deliveries 🏏#SonySportsNetwork #AsianGames #Hangzhou2022 #TeamIndia #Cheer4India #IssBaarSauPaar pic.twitter.com/Df2zCs3tXQ

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 21, 2023

Malaysia’s skipper, Winifred Duraisingam, won the toss and elected to field first. The Malatsian team struggled to field and dropped several catches due to the wet outfield.

It was almost impossible for Malaysia to cross even the 100-run mark and the chase became more difficult after the rain intruded. As per the DLS method, 177 was the revised target.

Malaysia faced just two balls before rain intruded again. This time it downpoured heavily, and the unfavorable conditions forced the game to be called off.

Here’s how India advanced into semis:

As per the rules of the Asian Games, if a cricket match is abandoned or called off due to weather-related concerns or any other reason, then the team with the higher rank will enter the next round of play. The ranking will be based on the ICC rankings. India women are ranked fourth in the latest ICC ODI rankings, while Malaysia are in 27th position.

However, Indian women’s cricket is the top ranker at the 19th Asian Games because of their ranking in ICC women’s cricket. If the semi-final is also washed out or called off due to any reason, then India will again advance to the final.