The Indian men’s cricket team has arrived in Japan ahead of a historic one-off T20 International against the hosts and its campaign at the 2026 Asian Games, as reported The Tribune.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared visuals of the team’s arrival on Monday, showing players being warmly welcomed by fans in Japan. The Tribune, citing ANI, reported that the squad landed in Japan ahead of the landmark fixture.
The Indian team includes several prominent names such as Ishan Kishan, Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, Arshdeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi. Players were seen interacting with supporters, with some fans also getting an opportunity to take photographs with the Indian cricketers.
Ishan Kishan was captured saying, "Konnichiwa and Arigato", which means 'Hello and Thank you' in Japanese.
According to The Tribune, the match against Japan will be a historic first meeting between the two sides in men’s T20I cricket. The one-off fixture, known as the Suzuki Cup, will be played on September 22 at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture.
The match is being organised as part of celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. The Tribune reported that the Japan Cricket Association and BCCI announced the fixture earlier this month as part of the anniversary celebrations.
India will then turn its attention to the men’s cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games. The Indian team won the gold medal at the previous edition of the Asian Games under the captaincy of Ruturaj Gaikwad. For the 2026 edition, India’s first match in the cricket tournament is scheduled for September 28 at the quarter-final stage.
The Tribune has reported that the Japan fixture is separate from the Asian Games competition and will serve as an international match ahead of India’s continental campaign.
The upcoming contest will also give the Indian squad an opportunity to gain match experience in Japanese conditions before beginning its Asian Games campaign. Indian captain Shreyas Iyer has spoken about the team’s excitement at playing in Japan and facing an opponent they have not previously encountered in men’s international cricket.
The Tribune reported that the Indian squad for both the Japan T20I and the Asian Games features a mix of experienced international players and younger talent.
India’s Squad for the Japan T20I and Asian Games
Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (VC), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yash Thakur and Vipraj Nigam.
The Indian team’s arrival has added to the anticipation around the first-ever men’s T20I between India and Japan. The Tribune reported that the Suzuki Cup is scheduled for September 22 at the Sano International Cricket Ground, before India moves on to its Asian Games campaign.
With the historic fixture also coinciding with the celebrations of 75 years of India-Japan diplomatic relations, the match carries significance beyond the cricket field.
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