Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Japan Sees Historic India T20 as Cricket Growth Springboard
Japan is getting ready to play India in an important cricket match.
It will be the first men’s international cricket game between the two countries.
The game will be held on September 22 at Sano International Cricket Ground.
Japanese players hope people who love baseball will also try cricket.
They believe the two sports share skills such as hand-eye coordination, practice and teamwork.
Japan still has too few cricket grounds, coaches and equipment.
Some players travel for hours just to practice.
The players hope the match will encourage more children to pick up a bat or join a club.
They also want cricket to become much bigger in Japan over the next 20 or 30 years.
Japan will host India for the first men’s international between the two countries on September 22 at Sano International Cricket Ground.
Japan’s captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming says the match should showcase the team and begin a longer history of competing against full-member nations.
The fixture comes shortly before the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, where Japan will host cricket teams including Afghanistan, India and Nepal.
Players hope cricket can attract Japanese baseball and softball fans, but cite shortages of grounds, equipment, coaching and sponsors.
Charlie Hara-Hinze and Kadowaki-Fleming want the India match to create a lasting legacy rather than remain a one-off event.
- Who
- Japan’s men’s cricket team, led by captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, will play India; 17-year-old all-rounder Charlie Hara-Hinze is also featured.
- What
- The teams will play a historic one-off T20 international, the first men’s international between Japan and India.
- When
- September 22, shortly before the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
- Where
- Sano International Cricket Ground in Japan.
- Why
- Japan wants to showcase its team, attract new players and build lasting growth for cricket in a baseball-dominated country.
Landmark Occasion
Long-Term Development
Purpose of the India match
Landmark Occasion
The fixture is a historic opportunity to celebrate Japan’s progress and watch world-class Indian players.
Long-Term Development
Japan’s players say it must also showcase their capabilities and become the first step toward regularly competing against full-member countries.
Impact on Japanese cricket
Landmark Occasion
A major international match and the Asian Games could draw attention to cricket in a country dominated by baseball.
Long-Term Development
Attention alone may not be enough; lasting growth will require more facilities, equipment, coaching and sponsors so the match does not become a one-off spectacle.
- Fixture
- Japan versus India men’s T20 international
- Date
- September 22
- Venue
- Sano International Cricket Ground
- Significance
- The first men’s international between Japan and India
- Related event
- Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya
- Main challenge
- Limited access to grounds, equipment, coaching and sponsors
- Long-term ambition
- Players see potential for a large Japanese cricket market within 20 to 30 years