Shreyas Iyer Excited for Historic T20I Against Japan

Shreyas Iyer's Enthusiasm for Japan T20I

Indian T20I captain Shreyas Iyer shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming historic T20I match against Japan, highlighting his positive experiences in the country thus far. He described the locals as 'cordial, helpful, and generous'.

In September, the Japan Cricket Association (JCA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a T20 International match between the men's teams of both nations to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. The Indian team has arrived in Japan ahead of the match scheduled for Tuesday.

Iyer Reflects on His Time in Japan

In a video shared by the BCCI, Iyer expressed that his experience in Japan has been 'beautiful'. He mentioned that he has heard many positive things about Japan, especially Tokyo and its people, and is eager to explore more of the country. Although the team is unfamiliar with the local conditions and pitch, they are excited about the upcoming match.

"The hospitality here is exceptional. From the moment we arrived, the warmth and generosity of the people reminded me of home. I’ve heard wonderful things about Japan and Tokyo, and I can’t wait to discover more," he stated.

"This match is going to be thrilling for us. It’s our first encounter with Japan, and while we are unsure about the conditions and pitch, we are looking forward to a great game," he added.

Aiming for Big Scores Before Asian Games

After scoring 8*, 11, and 29 in the recent T20I series against Afghanistan in Delhi, Iyer is aiming for significant runs as his team prepares for the Asian Games, which kick off on September 28. Since returning to the Indian T20I squad after three years, Iyer has accumulated 359 runs in 13 innings, averaging 35.90 with a strike rate exceeding 143, including two fifties and a top score of 80*.

Details on the Suzuki Cup and Team Composition

The T20I match, named the Suzuki Cup, celebrates 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan and will be held at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture.

India's Squad for the Japan T20I and Asian Games:

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, Vipraj Nigam.