# India-Japan cricket diplomatic initiative

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/india-japan-cricket-diplomatic-initiative
> Updated: 2026-09-10T20:44:55.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 3.

India and Japan are set to compete in their inaugural men’s T20 International, the ‘Suzuki Cup’, on September 22, 2026, at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture. The match is the flagship event for ‘Sport 75’, a bilateral initiative celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, following a summit between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Japan has announced a 15-member squad led by captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming. To ensure eligibility for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, which begins just two days after the match, Japan has excluded players who are eligible for T20Is under ICC rules but ineligible under Asian Games regulations. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Japan Cricket Association (JCA) are collaborating to expand the sport’s footprint in East Asia. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia previously described the event as a landmark moment representing cricket moving from a “global ambition” to a “global reality.” While India, the reigning T20 World Cup champions, have not yet announced their full squad, the match is expected to serve as preparation for their Asian Games campaign.

Broadcasting rights for the match in India have been secured by Star Sports Network for television and FanCode for digital streaming. As of September 10, the JCA has reported that tickets for the historic match have already sold out.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-10: India-Japan T20I tickets sell out for historic match in Sano

Tickets for the historic first official India-Japan men's T20 International in Sano, Japan, have sold out, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-japan-t20i-tickets-sell-out-for-historic-match-in-sano

### 2026-09-07: India and Japan to play historic T20I cricket match in September 2026

India and Japan will face off in a historic one-off T20I on September 22, 2026, in Tochigi, Japan, to mark the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations through the Suzuki Cup.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-and-japan-to-play-inaugural-t20i-to-mark-diplomatic-anniversary

### 2026-09-04: India and Japan to play historic T20I cricket match

India and Japan will play a historic men’s T20I cricket match, the Suzuki Cup, on September 22, 2026, to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties and launch the ‘Sport 75’ initiative.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-and-japan-to-play-t20i-cricket-match-in-2026

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Cite as: India-Japan cricket diplomatic initiative. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/india-japan-cricket-diplomatic-initiative