India Set for Historic First T20I Against Japan in Tokyo
The one-off clash marks a new chapter as both nations celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties ahead of the Asian Games.
India will meet Japan for the first time in a T20I on September 22 at the Sano International Cricket Ground. The fixture, staged under the Suzuki Cup banner, celebrates 75 years of India-Japan diplomatic relations and serves as a warm-up for both teams heading into the Asian Games men's cricket competition, which begins on September 19 in Aichi-Nagoya.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia described the match as a significant step in expanding cricket's global reach. He credited ICC chairman Jay Shah for championing opportunities to introduce the sport to new regions. Saikia noted that such encounters help build connections with fresh audiences and strengthen cricket's presence in emerging markets.
For India, the game offers crucial match time in Japanese conditions. Shreyas Iyer will captain the side, with Tilak Varma as vice-captain, and key players like Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the squad. India, seeded directly into the knockout rounds, will start their Asian Games campaign in the quarterfinals on September 28. While this marks their maiden T20I against Japan, India's rivalries with other nations also began with unique first encounters in the shortest format.