India are set to play Japan in a historic men’s T20I on September 22, with the one-off match scheduled to take place at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Japan.
The fixture will mark the first-ever men’s T20I between India and Japan and will launch celebrations for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The match will be played for the Suzuki Cup.
The game is part of Sport 75, an initiative aimed at strengthening sporting and diplomatic ties between India and Japan while helping expand cricket’s presence in Japan and the wider East Asian region.
The initiative also forms part of broader cooperation between the two countries, including India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia described the fixture as an important moment for Indian cricket, saying that the match would take the Indian team into new territory and provide an opportunity to introduce cricket to a wider Japanese audience.
The BCCI also reiterated its intention to work closely with the Japan Cricket Association to support the development and growth of the sport in the country. India’s participation is expected to provide significant exposure to Japanese cricket and could help attract more local interest in the game.
Japan to Host India for First Time
Japan will become the 20th team to face India in a men's T20I. The Japanese side currently sits 41st in the ICC men's T20I rankings and is preparing to host the Asian Games later this month.
The match will be played in Tochigi Prefecture, although the Sano International Cricket Ground is not the venue that will host the men's and women's cricket competitions at the upcoming Asian Games.
Japan Cricket Association CEO Naoki Miyaji called India's visit a landmark occasion for Japanese cricket. He expressed his gratitude to the BCCI for helping make the fixture possible and encouraged Japanese fans who are curious about cricket to attend the game and support the national team.
The historic encounter will therefore carry significance beyond the result, giving Japan the opportunity to face the reigning world champions while providing India with a chance to contribute to the expansion of cricket in a new market.
