Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma's Fun Outing in Tokyo Ahead of Asian Games 2026

Ahead of the Asian Games 2026, Indian cricketers Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma enjoyed a light-hearted outing in Tokyo. Their playful banter, particularly Ishan's teasing about Abhishek's unique footwear, captured fans' attention online. As Team India prepares for a historic T20I match against Japan, they aim to defend their gold medal from the previous edition. Discover more about their camaraderie and the upcoming schedule for the Asian Games.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 21, 2026, 22:32 IST

Team India Prepares for Asian Games 2026

As the Asian Games 2026 approaches, Indian cricketers Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma took a break from their rigorous training to visit a restaurant in Tokyo, Japan. The Indian team, under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, has arrived in Nagoya for a significant T20I match against Japan, coinciding with the Asian Games 2026.

The upcoming match will be a historic one-off T20I at the Sano International Cricket Ground, celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. Following this, Team India will kick off their Asian Games journey in the quarterfinals, where they will face the second-placed team from Group A, which includes Japan, Afghanistan, and Nepal.

Amidst the serious preparations, a light-hearted moment between Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma captured the attention of fans online.

Ishan's Playful Tease Over Abhishek's Footwear

After a recent T20I series against Afghanistan, Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma decided to relax at a Tokyo restaurant. Their outing turned into a humorous event when Abhishek posed for a photo wearing heeled footwear.

Ishan shared this amusing moment on his Instagram story, showcasing Abhishek standing on an elevated platform in traditional Japanese footwear, resembling geta sandals. Known for his playful nature, Ishan couldn't resist poking fun at his friend's choice of shoes, captioning the image with, 'Loving the heels bro.'

Their friendship is well-known, often highlighted by their playful exchanges both on and off the field. Both players participated in the recent T20I series against Afghanistan and contributed to India's successful T20 World Cup title defense earlier this year.

India's Asian Games 2026 Schedule

Under Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, Team India aims to defend the gold medal they secured in the 2023 edition held in Hangzhou, China. Ruturaj Gaikwad led the team to victory in Hangzhou, and the current squad is eager to achieve similar success in Japan.

As defending champions, India will enter the quarterfinals directly, facing the second-placed team from Group A on September 28 at Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi Prefecture.

Group A includes Afghanistan, Japan, and Nepal, and the group stage matches will determine which team advances to challenge the defending champions later this month.

Should India win the quarterfinal, they will proceed to the semifinals on October 1, with the final and bronze medal match scheduled for October 3. All matches will take place at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture.