India's Cricket Team Prepares for T20I Against Japan and Asian Games

The Indian men's cricket team is ready to wear the BCCI jersey for a T20I match against Japan, while also preparing for the Asian Games. This friendly match marks the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations. The team has resolved kit issues and is set to compete in various sports at the Asian Games. The squad includes notable players like Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah. Read on for more details about this historic event and the team's preparations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 19, 2026, 18:38 IST

Clarification on Kit for Asian Games and Japan Friendly

The Indian men's cricket team is set to don the BCCI jersey for their upcoming One-Off T20I match against Japan. Additionally, they have received their official kit for the Asian Games, as confirmed by a source from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS).

"For the match against Japan, Team India will wear the BCCI jersey. The Asian Games kit has been provided for the remainder of the tournament, and all issues have been addressed," stated the MYAS source.

The 20th Asian Games are scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, with India competing in 36 different sports. Having secured the Gold medal in the last edition, India will commence their 2026 campaign on September 28 during the quarter-finals.

The MYAS source further explained that the friendly match against Japan is not part of the Asian Games, which is why the team will wear their regular kit. "Since this match is a friendly, the team will play in their usual attire. However, the size issue for the tournament kit has been resolved, and they are now equipped for the event," the source added.

This clarification follows concerns regarding the availability and sizing of the official kit for the Indian team ahead of the multi-sport event.

Historic T20I to Celebrate India-Japan Diplomatic Relations

The T20 International match will also commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Japan, as announced in a media release by the BCCI. The Suzuki Cup is set to be held at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture on September 22.

According to the BCCI press release, the India-Japan T20I match marks the beginning of the "Sport 75" initiative, which emerged from discussions between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This initiative aims to foster human exchanges and collaboration in sports, especially considering India's aspirations to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036.

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia expressed enthusiasm about participating in this historic T20I in Japan, highlighting its significance in expanding the reach of Indian cricket. "We are thrilled to be part of this momentous occasion as the Indian and Japanese teams unite for a special T20 International. This is a pivotal moment for cricket, allowing us to introduce the sport to a broader audience in Japan and East Asia," Saikia remarked.

India's Squad for Japan T20I and Asian Games

The squad representing India for the Japan T20I and the Asian Games includes: Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (VC), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yash Thakur, and Vipraj Nigam.