NEW DELHI: India and Japan are set to share a historic cricketing moment when their men’s sides meet in a T20 International at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture on September 22, 2026, as part of celebrations leading into the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The Suzuki Cup will mark the first senior-level international cricket match between India and Japan and is being positioned as a significant milestone in the expansion of the sport in Japan. The fixture will also launch “Sport 75”, an initiative aimed at promoting people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between India and Japan through sport. Japan and India will formally mark 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2027.
A landmark moment for cricket in Japan
The initiative stems from an agreement reached during a summit between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It also takes into account India’s ambition to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036. For Japan, the occasion represents an opportunity to showcase the sport to a wider domestic audience, while India’s participation could provide a major boost to cricket’s profile in the country and across East Asia. BCCI honorary secretary Devajit Saikia described the fixture as a “historic occasion” and said the board was delighted to be part of an event that would take Indian cricket into “new territory”. “This is a significant moment for cricket, as it takes the Indian team to new territory and provides an opportunity to introduce the sport to a wider audience in Japan and East Asia,” Saikia said. He also underlined the broader significance of the partnership, saying, “India and Japan share a strong and longstanding relationship and friendship, and we are pleased that cricket will be part of the celebrations marking 75 years of bilateral relations between the two countries.” Saikia added that the BCCI recognised its responsibility to help cricket expand beyond its traditional territories. “The BCCI believes that the growth of cricket must extend beyond its traditional territories, and as the world’s largest cricket board, we recognise our responsibility to contribute to that growth,” he said.
Japan ready to welcome India
Japan Cricket Association CEO Naoki Miyaji said hosting India, the reigning world champions, represented a landmark occasion for the association. “To be able to invite the reigning World Champions to the home of cricket in Japan is a landmark moment for our association,” Miyaji said. He thanked the BCCI for helping make the fixture possible and said the JCA was looking forward to the response from Indian supporters. “We greatly look forward to welcoming the passion of Indian cricket fans, and we actively encourage any local Japanese people curious about cricket to come and cheer on our team in what will be a truly memorable occasion,” Miyaji said. The match in Sano is expected to serve not only as a celebration of India-Japan friendship but also as a symbolic step towards strengthening cricket’s presence in Japan.
