India Japan historic T20I set for Sept 22

India and Japan will contest a historic men's T20 International cricket match on September 22, 2026, at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The fixture, dubbed the Suzuki Cup, marks the first time the Indian men's team will play Japan in this format and is set to launch celebrations for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The match is the flagship event of "Sport 75," a bilateral initiative agreed upon by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This program aims to foster human exchanges and cooperation in sports, aligning with India's ambition to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Japan Cricket Association (JCA) jointly announced the event, highlighting its significance for the global expansion of cricket. BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia described the match as a historic occasion and a significant step in promoting the sport in new territories.