Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Cricket Diplomacy Brings India and Asian Games to Japan
Japan is best known for baseball, but it is working to grow cricket.
India will play Japan in a T20 International match in Sano on September 22.
This will be Japan’s first match against a full member of the International Cricket Council.
The game will celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan.
Other strong cricket countries will play in Japan during the Asian Games.
Sri Lanka is helping prepare the pitches in Sano and Nisshin.
Suzuki is supporting the event as its title sponsor.
Japan has thousands of cricket players, but far fewer than baseball players.
Japan’s cricket leaders hope the matches will attract new fans without expecting cricket to become popular overnight.
India will play Japan in a T20 International at Sano International Cricket Ground on September 22.
The match will be Japan’s first against an International Cricket Council full member and is part of 75th-anniversary diplomatic celebrations.
Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are scheduled to compete in the Asian Games cricket tournament in September.
Sri Lanka Cricket is providing groundsmen and clay for pitches in Sano and Nisshin, while Suzuki is the title sponsor.
Japan has 7,300 registered players and 16 cricket grounds, as the Japan Cricket Association works to expand the sport beyond baseball-focused communities.
- Who
- India, Japan, the Japan Cricket Association, Asian Games organisers, and teams from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
- What
- Japan will host a T20 International against India and an Asian Games cricket tournament featuring several major cricket nations.
- When
- The India-Japan match is scheduled for September 22, and the Asian Games cricket matches are scheduled for September.
- Where
- The bilateral match will be played at Sano International Cricket Ground near Tokyo; the Asian Games matches will be held at a repurposed baseball venue in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture.
- Why
- The events aim to promote cricket in Japan and celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan.
Cricket Growth Optimists
Realistic Expectations
Potential impact of India’s visit
Cricket Growth Optimists
Japan Cricket Association chief executive Naoki Alex Miyaji described the India match as the first page of a new era that could bring new audiences and help cricket flourish.
Realistic Expectations
Miyaji said one match or competition would not make cricket as popular as baseball or football in Japan.
Role of the Asian Games venue
Cricket Growth Optimists
The Japan Cricket Association offered Sano International Cricket Ground for the Asian Games and is supporting preparations through its cricket infrastructure and Sri Lanka Cricket partnership.
Realistic Expectations
Local organisers chose to repurpose a baseball stadium in Nisshin to avoid logistical problems.
Japan’s cricket identity
Cricket Growth Optimists
Japan captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming said the sport is being developed in a distinctly Japanese way, including Japanese terminology and links with baseball.
Realistic Expectations
Cricket remains a small sport, with 7,300 registered players and 16 grounds, while baseball dominates the country’s sporting culture.
- India-Japan match
- A T20 International at Sano International Cricket Ground on September 22
- Historical significance
- Japan’s first match against an International Cricket Council full member
- Asian Games participants
- Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are scheduled to compete
- Japan cricket infrastructure
- Japan has 7,300 registered players and 16 cricket grounds
- Pitch preparation
- Sri Lanka Cricket is supplying groundsmen and clay for pitches in Sano and Nisshin
- Attendance capacity
- Sano’s capacity was increased from 500 to 2,000
- Main sponsor
- Suzuki is the title sponsor
