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A slight change in timings for the upcoming Men's cricket matches in the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. There are some matches that will start earlier than the original schedule. Not every match, but the matches that are scheduled to start in the Afternoon, are reportedly rescheduled.
Because of the rescheduling, some of the India National Cricket Team matches are also likely to start early. The date of the matches remains the same; changes are only in the timings. However, the women's team matches will commence as per the original schedule.
Changes in Men's cricket match timings in 2026 Asian Games
On the evening of September 12, Cricbuzz informed about the changes in the Men's cricket event's afternoon matches. The reports mentioned that official communications between the involved parties are to be made. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) official informed the media house that they were not aware of the change in timings.
The report mentioned that, if the claims made in the report are to be believed, then what will be the revised time of the matches? It is reported that the afternoon men’s matches will begin at 1.30 pm instead of the originally announced 2 pm. However, the start of the games in the morning hours is expected to remain the same.
Why the matches are pushed earlier
But why did the Asian Games organisers decide to change the timings of the afternoon matches? The venue, which will hold the cricket matches, has no lights. As there are no lights, matches under low daylight will not be possible to continue.
Nowadays, the sunset in Japan is early in the afternoon, and the organizers are expecting the men's cricket matches to last longer than the women's cricket matches. That's why the changes are being made only for the men's national cricket team matches, not for the women's fixtures.
As Japan's time zone is 3 hours and 30 minutes ahead of India, the match will begin at 10 pm according to tndiaIndiandard Time. The morning matches will begin at 9 am local time, or 5.30 am IST. The changes in the timing will be applicable for the group matches, knock-out matches, and the Final match of the tournament.
Team India is expected to defend their Asian Games gold medal
As the second semi-final and the gold-medal fixture are to be played during the afternoon hours, both of the matches will start at 1.30 pm Japan Time. There will be at least one India national cricket team match, which will start early.
As the defending champions, the Men in Blue will start their 2026 Asian Games campaign through the second quarter-final on September 28, which will be in the afternoon hours.
India is likely to make further progress in the tournament, and if they qualify for the semi-final on October 1, then the Asian Games gold-medal game on October 3 will be played according to the revised time. As the media report has mentioned, the changes in the timing of the matches have yet to be communicated to the involved parties.
