Japan names squad for historic T20I vs India

Japan is set to host India for a historic one-off Twenty20 International cricket match on September 22, 2026, in Sano, Tochigi Prefecture. The fixture, officially branded as the Suzuki Cup, marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations and is part of the broader "Sport 75" initiative aimed at fostering sporting exchanges. The Japanese squad for this landmark encounter will be led by Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, the country's leading run-scorer in T20 Internationals. The 15-member team largely comprises the same group selected for Japan's upcoming Asian Games campaign, which begins just two days later on September 24 in Nagoya. This selection strategy reflects the organizers' decision to prioritize players eligible under Asian Games regulations, even if it means excluding some who meet broader International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 International criteria. Notable inclusions in the Japanese squad alongside Kadowaki-Fleming are experienced players Ibrahim Takahashi and Declan Suzuki-McComb, both having appeared in over 50 T20Is.