India vs Japan - Team India Set for First-Ever International T20

The Indian cricket team has arrived in Japan ahead of the 2026 Asian Games, with the men’s cricket tournament scheduled to begin on September 24. India are set to play their Asian Games match on September 28, but before the tournament, they will face Japan in a one-off T20 match at the Sano International Cricket Ground. The match, being played as the Suzuki Cup, is expected to be a significant preparatory outing for India and marks the first international meeting between the Indian and Japanese men’s cricket teams. The game will begin at 9:30 AM IST on Tuesday.

The team management is expected to rest several key players, including Jasprit Bumrah, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, giving younger players an opportunity to make an impression. Vaibhav Suryavanshi could replace Abhishek and open alongside Sanju Samson, with Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma expected to follow. Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Vipraj Nigam could form the middle and lower order, while Arshdeep Singh and Yash Thakur are likely to lead the pace attack and Ravi Bishnoi could handle the spin duties. VVS Laxman will coach the side during the Japan tour, with head coach Gautam Gambhir taking a break.
Probable India Playing XI: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Vipraj Nigam, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi.