Japan Unveils Squad for Historic T20I Against India
Japan's T20I Squad Announcement
Japan has officially revealed its team for the upcoming men's T20I match against the reigning T20 World Cup champions, India, ranked number one globally. Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming will captain the squad in this significant match scheduled for September 22 at the Sano International Cricket Ground.
The selected players are the same ones chosen for Japan's home campaign in the Asian Games, which kicks off in Nagoya just two days after the match against India. Kadowaki-Fleming, who holds the record as Japan's top T20I run-scorer, will be joined by Ibrahim Takahashi and Declan Suzuki-McComb, both of whom have over 50 T20I appearances.
Squad Composition and Notable Players
In forming the squad, Japan considered their Asian Games objectives, resulting in the exclusion of players who, while eligible for T20Is under ICC rules, do not meet the Asian Games criteria. This decision has allowed emerging spin-bowling all-rounder Jake Kusuda-Nairn to secure a spot after showcasing his talent in domestic competitions. Veteran player Tsuyoshi Takada also makes a return, having first played for Japan in the ICC East Asia-Pacific Twenty20 Championship back in 2013.
The team features Wataru Miyauchi and Makoto Taniyama, both of whom hail from Japanese schools with cricket Bukatsu programs. Taniyama, a leg-spinner inspired by Australian legend Shane Warne, wears jersey number 23 to honor his idol and is recognized as Japan's leading wicket-taker in both pathway and international cricket.
Additionally, Charlie Hara-Hinze, who was part of Japan's Under-19 World Cup team that triumphed over Tanzania, is included. Spinner Benjamin Ito-Davis returns to the squad after recovering from a hand injury that sidelined him during Japan's East Asia-Pacific T20 World Cup 2028 Sub-Regional Qualifier campaign. Japan finished second in that tournament and is still in the running for qualification for the 2028 T20 World Cup, currently tied on points with Papua New Guinea but trailing on net run rate despite a victory over them in their last match.
The 'Sport 75' Initiative and Upcoming Matches
The match against India marks the inaugural event under the 'Sport 75' initiative, which emerged from discussions between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This initiative aims to enhance exchanges and cooperation between Japan and India through sports.
Before their Asian Games campaign, Japan will also compete against Hong Kong in two T20Is on September 19 and 20, followed by their first Asian Games match against Afghanistan on September 24 and Nepal on September 26. To progress to the quarter-finals, they must secure a top-two finish in their group.
Squads for the Historic Encounter
India's squad for this landmark match will be led by Shreyas Iyer and includes players such as Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Japan's squad consists of: 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.