Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has highlighted how dangerous the lack of proper cricket pitches in multi-sports events like the Asian Games, where cricket is included, can be. This comes ahead of the Asian Games 2026, which will be played in Japan.

The cricket event will be played in both men's and women’s disciplines, with the Korogi Sports Park in Aichi prefecture playing host. It is the only venue suitable to host cricket, as it has been remodeled from a baseball field to a cricket ground, with a hybrid pitch.

Chopra, however, cautioned that underprepared pitches at the Games could be dangerous for the players involved.

“There is a different uproar going on about the Asian Games. We saw it last time as well. Whether it’s in China or Japan, these countries have all kinds of top-quality infrastructure, but not for cricket. They also wake up late for cricket. By the time they wake up, they realize that making it is a very difficult job,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

“They have tried, but we saw last time as well that if a top-flight bowler bowls fast, the pitches aren’t ready at all. They are actually dangerous to play. You feel the safety of your own players is on the line. They prepare the ground but are unable to prepare the square, and no cricket would have been played on it. You shouldn’t be surprised at all if it becomes dangerous,” he added.

Chopra stated that there is still a lack of understanding about cricket's potential in multi-sport tournaments. Cricket has previously only been played at three Asian Games: 2010, 2014, and 2023.

“The second problem is that there probably isn’t enough realization that cricket is a different kind of sport. The facilities that are required just to perform at the highest level aren’t ready at all. They say they can’t provide hotels; two people will stay in a room, and they are using cruise ships or converted containers as hotels. This is not how cricket actually happens,” he said.

“You can call it slightly elitist or classist, as to why it is not right for them when it is right for everyone else. You may have a point, but the truth is that cricket is not played like that. When you go to play cricket around the world, you get a single room to stay. You get your privacy, and you are used to that,” Chopra observed.

Cricket at the Asian Games will feature 12 teams competing in the men’s and women’s formats between September 17 and October 3.