Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Japan Names Asian Games Squad for Historic India T20I
Japan has chosen its cricket team for a special game against India.
The match will be played on September 22 at a stadium in Tochigi, Japan.
It will be the first time the two countries play each other in international cricket.
Japan will use the same players selected for its Asian Games campaign.
Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming will be Japan’s captain.
Jake Kusuda-Nairn is joining the team for the first time.
The game is called the Suzuki Cup.
It is part of celebrations for 75 years of friendship between India and Japan and a program called Sport 75.
Japan will use its 15-member Asian Games squad for a one-off T20I against India on September 22, 2026.
The match will be the first international cricket meeting between Japan and India.
Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming will captain Japan at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture.
Jake Kusuda-Nairn received his first call-up after domestic performances, despite having no previous international experience.
The Suzuki Cup will launch Sport 75, marking 75 years of India-Japan diplomatic relations and promoting sporting exchanges.
- Who
- Japan and India’s men’s cricket teams, with Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming captaining Japan.
- What
- A one-off T20 International, the first international cricket match between Japan and India.
- When
- September 22, 2026; Japan’s men’s Asian Games cricket competition begins on September 24.
- Where
- Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.
- Why
- To prepare Japan’s Asian Games squad and launch Sport 75 celebrations marking 75 years of India-Japan diplomatic relations.
- Match
- Japan vs India, one-off T20 International
- Date
- September 22, 2026
- Venue
- Sano International Cricket Ground, Tochigi Prefecture
- Japan captain
- Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming
- Japan squad
- 15 players, matching the group selected for the Asian Games
- Match name
- The Suzuki Cup
- Initiative
- Sport 75, focused on sporting exchanges and cooperation
- Japan’s Asian Games opponents
- Afghanistan on September 24 and Nepal on September 26
