Sano, Japan: India and Japan will meet for the first time in men’s international cricket when the two sides face off in a historic one-off T20I at the Sano International Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
The match, being played under the Suzuki Cup, will begin at 9:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST) and serves as the final preparation for both teams ahead of the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya.
The fixture also marks the launch of Sport 75, an initiative designed to strengthen sporting exchanges and cooperation between India and Japan as the two countries commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations.
India head into the contest in strong form after completing a 3-0 T20I series sweep against Afghanistan in New Delhi.
Shreyas Iyer will continue to lead the world’s top-ranked T20I side, with Tilak Varma serving as vice-captain. India’s pace attack features Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Yash Thakur, while teenage batting prospect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is also part of the squad.
For Japan, the match represents a landmark occasion as they take on one of cricket’s leading international teams for the first time in a men’s T20I.
With both sides preparing for the Asian Games, the encounter will provide an important opportunity to fine-tune combinations and assess players ahead of the continental competition.
