Before departing for the Japan tour, the Indian men’s cricket team players and BCCI officials paid a courtesy call on Ono Keiichi, the Japanese Ambassador to India, at the Japanese Embassy in Chanakyapuri on Wednesday. The delegation, led by BCCI President Mithun Manhas and captain Shreyas Iyer, was welcomed at the embassy. This tour is considered very important in terms of preparations for the historic Suzuki Cup, starting September 22, and the upcoming Asian Games 2026.

IND vs JPN: Team India met the Japanese ambassador in Delhi, the Indian team will leave for Japan tour under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer.

History will be created at Sano International Cricket Ground

The men’s cricket teams of India and Japan will face each other on an international platform for the first time.

The first T20 match of the Suzuki Cup will be played on 22 September at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.
This tour, organised with the aim of promoting cricket in Japan, is being seen as a new chapter in sports diplomacy between the two countries. During the meeting, Ambassador Ono Keiichi presented ‘Daruma’, considered a symbol of good luck and determination in Japanese culture, to BCCI President Mithun Manhas and Captain Shreyas Iyer.

Statements by administrators and officials

Indian squad for Japan tour and Asian Games

The BCCI has announced a 14-member squad, a balance of youth and experience, for this historic tour and the Asian Games 2026:

• Captain: Shreyas Iyer
• Vice-Captain: Tilak Varma
• Batsmen/All-rounders: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Shivam Dubey, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar
• Bowlers: Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yash Thakur, Vipraj Nigam

What does it mean for sports fans?

Cricket hasn’t been a mainstream sport in Japan, but this tour is expected to boost its popularity in East Asia.

The Indian community in Tokyo and surrounding areas is already showing great enthusiasm for the match at the Sano Stadium on September 22nd. This move by the BCCI will also keep all eyes on the Indian team’s performance at the Asian Games.