Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Rain Threatens Historic India-Japan T20I in Japan
India and Japan are preparing to play a special cricket match.
It will be the first time they meet in an internationally recognized game.
The match is planned for Tuesday in Sano, Japan.
The stadium can hold about 5,000 people and is about 70 kilometers from Tokyo.
Heavy rain already forced India to cancel practice.
More rain could make the match difficult to play.
India’s captain, Shreyas Iyer, said his team is excited about the new experience.
India is also getting ready for the Asian Games, which begin on September 28.
India and Japan are scheduled to meet Tuesday in their first internationally recognized cricket match against each other.
The one-off T20I will be played at Sano International Cricket Ground in Sano, Tochigi Prefecture, about 70 kilometers from Tokyo.
Heavy rain cancelled India’s training session and could test the venue’s drainage facilities on match day.
India captain Shreyas Iyer said the team was excited to play Japan and experience the country’s culture and conditions.
India is using the match to prepare for its Asian Games campaign beginning September 28, after a 3-0 T20I series win over Afghanistan.
- Who
- India and Japan’s men’s cricket teams, captained by Shreyas Iyer and Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming.
- What
- A one-off T20I that will mark the first internationally recognized cricket match between India and Japan.
- When
- The match is scheduled for Tuesday; India arrived in Japan on Monday, and its Asian Games campaign begins September 28.
- Where
- Sano International Cricket Ground in Sano, Tochigi Prefecture, about 70 kilometers from Tokyo.
- Why
- Japan’s cricket association proposed the match, while India is also using it to prepare for the Asian Games.
- Match
- One-off T20I between India and Japan
- Historical significance
- First internationally recognized cricket match between the two teams
- Venue
- Sano International Cricket Ground, Sano, Tochigi Prefecture
- Venue capacity
- Approximately 5,000 spectators
- Weather concern
- Heavy rain cancelled India’s training and threatens the match
- India’s captain
- Shreyas Iyer
- Japan’s captain
- Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming
- India’s recent result
- 3-0 T20I series win over Afghanistan
