Japan's Cricket Stars Gear Up for Historic T20I Against India

As Japan prepares for a landmark T20I match against India, players Benjamin Ito-Davis and Jake Kusuda-Nairn express their excitement and determination. Ito-Davis aims to showcase the 'Japanese spirit' while targeting India's rising star, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. This match marks a celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. With the growth of cricket in Japan, both players hope to inspire future generations. Read on to discover more about their aspirations and the squad for this historic encounter.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 21, 2026, 14:04 IST

Japan Prepares for T20I Against India

As India gears up for a significant one-off T20I match against Japan, set to kick off the Asian Games 2026 campaign, Japanese all-rounder Benjamin Ito-Davis is eager to demonstrate the 'Japanese spirit' against the reigning T20 champions. Meanwhile, teammate Jake Kusuda-Nairn is focused on claiming the wicket of India's promising young talent, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Celebrating Diplomatic Ties

In a notable announcement earlier this month, the Japan Cricket Association (JCA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed that the men's teams from both nations will face off in a T20 International match to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Japan.

Ito-Davis Embraces the Challenge

Ahead of the match, Ito-Davis, who has accumulated 263 runs in 25 T20Is and taken 31 wickets with a best performance of 3/8, expressed his enthusiasm. He stated, "I am excited to take on this challenge and showcase the Japanese spirit and our unique approach to cricket against such a formidable opponent." He emphasized the honor of representing Japan on an international platform and the team's desire to compete respectfully.

Kusuda-Nairn Aims for Sooryavanshi's Wicket

Jake Kusuda-Nairn, a 21-year-old all-rounder, has set his sights on capturing the wicket of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, India's youngest international cricketer. Sooryavanshi, at just 15, has already made a name for himself with his aggressive batting style, having played six T20Is and scored two fifties. Kusuda-Nairn noted, "I plan to take it one ball at a time, but getting a couple of wickets would be great."

Japanese Cricket on the Rise

Kusuda-Nairn remarked on the remarkable growth of Japanese cricket in recent years, highlighting the positive media attention and the success of the U19 team at the World Cup. He stated, "The progress we've made is incredible, especially with the U19s performing well, which has certainly boosted cricket in Japan." Despite not winning any matches, Japan showcased promising performances against teams like Australia and Sri Lanka.

Inspiring Future Generations

Ito-Davis aims to inspire the next generation of Japanese cricketers, regardless of gender. He expressed, "If I can motivate even one Japanese child to try cricket, that would be my greatest achievement. Promoting the game in Japan is my ultimate goal."

Japanese Squad for the T20I

The squad for the upcoming match includes: Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (c), 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, and Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake.