Japan announce squad for historic T20I against India and Asian Games

Japan announced their squad for the historic one-off T20I against India on Tuesday, September 8. The same team will also take part in the men's cricket competition at the Asian Games in Nagoya.

Japan is set to take on India in a one-off T20I on September 22 at the Sano International Cricket Ground to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations. The two teams will be playing for the Suzuki Cup. The ICC has revealed that Japan haven’t included players who are ineligible to play under the Asian Games rules.

"As part of their Asian Games preparation, Japan have opted not to include players who are eligible to play T20Is under ICC regulations but ineligible under Asian Games rules," the ICC said in a statement.

21-year-old spin-bowling allrounder Jake Kusuda-Nairn has earned a call-up despite having never played for Japan, while Tsuyoshi Takada, who played three T20Is in 2023, has been recalled into the team. 

Japan's leading batter, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, who has scored 1871 runs from 54 T20I innings, will continue to lead the side. On the other hand, experienced players Ibrahim Takahashi and Declan Suzuki-McComb, who have played 56 and 54 T20Is, respectively, have also been picked.

The match to be a part of Sport 75 initiative

It will be the first time the two teams will face each other in international cricket, as the game will be the first step of "Sport 75", an initiative arising from the agreement during a meeting between the prime ministers of the two countries.

The move will also promote cooperation between the two nations with an eye on India's ambition to host the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2036.

Japan squad for one-off men's T20I against India: Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (capt), Charlie Hara-Hinze, Benjamin Ito-Davis, Alester Kadowaki-Fleming, Kohei Kubota, Jake Kusuda-Nairn, Wataru Miyauchi (wk), Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Alex Shirai-Patmore (wk), Shoma Sugaya-Slater, Declan Suzuki-McComb, Tsuyoshi Takada, Ibrahim Takahashi, Makoto Taniyama, Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake