India to Play Historic First-Ever T20I Against Japan on September 22

India will play Japan in their first-ever senior men’s T20 International on September 22, 2026, at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture. The one-off match will be played for the Suzuki Cup.

The fixture was jointly announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Japan Cricket Association (JCA). The match will begin at 9:30 AM IST, or 1:00 PM local time.

The game is part of the Sport 75 initiative, which marks 75 years of diplomatic ties between India and Japan. The initiative follows an agreement between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

The match will also give both teams valuable preparation ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. India, the defending champions, will enter the tournament directly in the quarter-finals, while Japan will begin its campaign in the group stage.

A New Chapter for Cricket in Japan

BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia said the match was an important step in taking Indian cricket to a new region.

“The BCCI is delighted to be part of this historic occasion as the Indian and Japanese men’s teams come together for a special T20 International in Japan,” Saikia said.

He added that the board wants cricket to grow beyond its traditional strongholds and said the BCCI will work with the JCA to strengthen the sport in Japan and East Asia.

JCA CEO Naoki Miyaji described the match as a “landmark moment” for Japanese cricket. He said hosting the reigning world champions will be a memorable occasion for the association.

Miyaji also invited Japanese fans who are curious about cricket to attend the game and support the home team. The fixture is expected to bring Indian cricket fans and a wider Japanese audience closer to the sport.

The India-Japan T20I will therefore be more than a one-off match. It will mark India’s first senior men’s T20I in Japan and another step towards taking cricket to new audiences in East Asia.