The Japan Cricket Association (JCA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday (September 4) announced that the men’s teams from each nation will play a T20I match to launch the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of India-Japan Diplomatic Relations.
The Suzuki Cup will take place at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture on September 22, 2026.
This fixture serves as a critical prelude to the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, which begins on September 19. Given recent concerns from the BCCI regarding cricket infrastructure in Japan, this match provides a high-profile testing ground for local facilities before men's cricket in the continental event kicks off on September 24
The match will be the first step of “Sport 75”, an initiative that stems from an agreement reached during a summit between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The goal is to promote human exchanges and cooperation between India and Japan in the field of sports.
“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. This is a significant moment for cricket, as it takes the Indian team to new territory and provides an opportunity to introduce the sport to a wider audience in Japan and East Asia,” BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said in a statement.
“India and Japan share a strong and longstanding relationship and friendship, and we are pleased that cricket will be part of the celebrations marking 75 years of bilateral relations between the two countries, and we thank the Japan Cricket Association (JCA) for its efforts in making this fixture possible.
“The BCCI believes that the growth of cricket must extend beyond its traditional territories, and as the world’s largest cricket board, we recognise our responsibility to contribute to that growth.
“The BCCI will work closely with the JCA to further strengthen cricket in Japan and to build on this relationship in the years ahead,” he added.
JCA CEO Naoki Miyaji said: “To be able to invite the reigning World Champions to then home of cricket in Japan is a landmark moment for our association. We thank the BCCI for working with us towards this goal and greatly look forward to welcoming the passion of Indian cricket fans, and we actively encourage any local Japanese people curious about cricket to come and cheer on our team in what will be a truly memorable occasion.”
