India and Japan to Play Historic First Men's T20I in Japan on September 22
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Japan Cricket Association (JCA) have officially announced a historic T20 International match between the men's national teams of India and Japan on September 22, 2026. The landmark encounter will be held at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, with the winning team hoisting the inaugural Suzuki Cup.
This match marks the very first senior international cricket encounter between India and Japan. The bilateral fixture opens the "Sport 75" initiative, a joint program stemming from high-level bilateral summits between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The initiative commemorates the upcoming 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, while supporting India's bid for the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia stated that the fixture represents a monumental step in expanding cricket into new East Asian territories, offering local fans an opportunity to watch world-class talent up close. Led by captain Shreyas Iyer, the Indian squad features prominent players including Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson. Beyond its diplomatic symbolism, the match provides crucial match practice for team India ahead of the cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, where India aims to defend its gold medal.
