Japan Prepare for Historic Suzuki Cup T20I Against Reigning World Champions India

Japan are preparing for the biggest match in their cricket history, a Suzuki Cup T20I against India, the reigning T20 World Cup champions.

It is the first senior men’s meeting between the two nations and marks 75 years of diplomatic relations, forming part of the Sport 75 initiative agreed at a summit of the two countries’ leaders. The match starts at 1:00 pm local time on September 22 at the Sano International Cricket Ground, which has around 3,000 seats. Tickets reportedly sold out within an hour.

Japan’s side

Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming will captain Japan, and Jake Kusuda-Nairn could make his international debut. Asian Games eligibility rules have left several players unavailable despite being eligible for this game.

Benjamin Ito-Davis, speaking in comments carried by the ICC, said he was honoured to represent Japan and promote the game. The team want to show they can compete with India while playing fairly and respectfully, in what he called the Japan way. His biggest success, he said, would be inspiring a child to try cricket.

India’s squad

India are led by Shreyas Iyer, with Tilak Varma as vice-captain and VVS Laxman as coach, who also guided India to gold at the 2023 Asian Games. The squad includes teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Varun Chakravarthy was ruled out with a side strain on September 16 and replaced by Vipraj Nigam. The game also serves as acclimatisation before India’s Asian Games campaign starts on September 24.

A family angle

Kusuda-Nairn’s sister, Elena, plays for Japan’s women and recently faced India in the Asian Games quarter-final in Nagoya. She told him to enjoy the occasion, and he plans to take it one ball at a time, hoping for a couple of wickets.

He also spoke of the growth of cricket in Japan, crediting the Under-19 team’s World Cup performances and positive attention on social media, including praise for the team’s jersey.