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The India National Cricket Team will take on the Japan National Cricket Team in a historic one-off T20I at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Sano, Tochigi, on Tuesday, September 22. The match will be the first-ever senior men’s international meeting between India and Japan.
This game will serve as an important preparation for both teams ahead of the 2026 Asian Games. The match is being played as the Suzuki Cup and is part of the Sport 75 initiative celebrating 75 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Shreyas Iyer will lead the Indian team, while Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming will captain Japan. Japan will be hoping to make the most of a rare opportunity to face India at the 2,000-capacity Sano venue. Earlier, "It is going to be thrilling": Shreyas Iyer excited ahead of historic India vs Japan T20I.
JPN vs IND Match Preview & Recent Form
The India National Cricket Team comes into the match with strong recent T20I form. The Men in Blue recently completed a 3-0 series sweep against Afghanistan, with Abhishek Sharma producing a stunning 30-ball century in the final T20I match.
They will now look to carry that momentum into the historic T20I game against Japan before their Asian Games 2026 campaign. The biggest attraction could be the possibility of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
India also has several experienced names in the squad. Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan provide wicketkeeping options, while Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, and Shivam Dube strengthen the middle order. Abhishek, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Ravi Bishnoi will be in the spotlight.
The bowling attack features big winners like Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. Meanwhile, Japan has some experienced players in their squad and will hope their key performers can handle the pressure of playing against India at the biggest stage.
Captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming is Japan’s leading T20I run-scorer with 1879 runs in 56 T20Is and is expected to be one of their biggest batting threats. Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake is another player to watch at the top of the order. Declan Suzuki-McComb can provide power in the lower order, while Charlie Hara-Hinze and Makoto Taniyama give Japan useful spin options.
JPN vs IND Head-to-Head Record
India and Japan have never faced each other in senior men’s T20I cricket before. This will be their first-ever meeting, so this game is a huge opportunity for Japan to test their players against some of India’s biggest T20 names. Meanwhile, it will provide great practice to India before the Asian Games.
JPN vs IND Live Streaming, Live Telecast: Where To Watch Japan vs India T20I?
Indian fans can watch the Japan vs India T20I live on the Star Sports network. Live coverage will be available across Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi. The match will also be available for online streaming on FanCode application and its website.
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, at the Sano International Cricket Ground. The start time is 9:30 AM IST, which is 1:00 PM local time in Japan.
JPN vs IND Pitch Report: How Will Sano International Cricket Ground Play?
The Sano International Cricket Ground might prove a tricky surface since the game follows heavy rain. The pitch usually provides good bounce, but the moisture may make conditions slower than usual. The damp outfield could also make fielding difficult.
The cloud cover could offer some swing for the fast bowlers early on but spinners like Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel could come into play once the pitch starts to dry out. Overall, the Sano International Cricket Ground is expected to offer a balanced contest between bat and ball.
The captain winning the toss may prefer to bowl first and take advantage of the early moisture. The Sano International Cricket Ground has so far hosted 39 men’s T20I matches, with an average first-innings score that should be 120+.
JPN vs IND Weather Forecast & Rain Threat
The weather could play a key role during the match, with temperatures expected to remain around a cool 23°C. These conditions should provide comfortable running weather for the players.
However, humidity is likely to be a major factor, with levels hovering around 90-92% following recent rainfall. Monday saw heavy downpours, but Tuesday morning is expected to remain mostly dry around the scheduled start.
There is still a chance of passing showers or a sudden thunderstorm later in the day. As a result, the ground staff will need to stay alert with covers ready.
JPN vs IND Team News & Injury Updates
India will be without Varun Chakravarthy for the Japan T20I after the spinner was ruled out with a side strain. Vipraj Nigam has been brought into the squad as his replacement.
But the big question is whether India gives Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a chance after warming the bench against Afghanistan with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma opening in all three matches. Gautam Gambhir has not travelled with the team, with VVS Laxman accompanying the squad instead.
Japan has named a 15-member squad led by Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming. Shirai Patmore, Charlie Hara-Hinze, Makoto Taniyama, Declan Suzuki-McComb and Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake are some of the key players who are expected to play big roles against India.
JPN vs IND Predicted Playing 11 Today
India Predicted XI:
Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Shreyas Iyer (c), Washington Sundar, Abhishek Sharma, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh
Japan Predicted XI:
Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (c), Makoto Taniyama, Ibrahim Takahashi, Alex Shirai-Patmore (wk), Declan Suzuki-McComb, Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Tsuyoshi Takada, Kohei Kubota, Charles Hinze, Shoma Slater
JPN vs IND Key Player Battles to Watch
Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming vs Jasprit Bumrah:
Japan’s captain could face a tough challenge against India’s returning pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. His sharp swing, clever variations and accurate yorkers are expected to test Fleming.
Abhishek Sharma vs Reo Sakurano-Thomas:
The in-form Indian opener Abhishek Sharma will look to make the most of the powerplay and put pressure on Japan’s bowlers early. Japan pacers will need to maintain tight lines and lengths to stop the explosive Indian opener from dominating the match from the start.
Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake vs Ravi Bishnoi:
Yamamoto-Lake could face big trouble in the middle overs if he manages to survive India’s early pace attack. Ravi Bishnoi’s quick googlies and deceptive variations could trouble him, especially on a damp Sano pitch offering some grip. Yamamoto-Lake will need careful footwork and shot selection against Bishnoi.
JPN vs IND Key Players to Watch
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Japan: Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, Declan Suzuki-McComb, Charlie Hara-Hinze, Makoto Taniyama
Read Also: 'Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's craze is on another level altogether': Japan cricketer Abhishek Anand.
