The Japan Cricket Association (JCA) is in talks with ITW Universe to finalize broadcast and streaming rights for the historic one-off T20I match between India and Japan at Sano International Stadium in Tochigi Prefecture on September 22.
The fixture is happening at the same time as the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, creating significant logistical and production hurdles for the organisers.
However, a report published by Cricbuzz suggests that the JCA is close to signing an MoU with ITW Universe for the broadcast rights.
“The initial plan was to live-stream the match on YouTube with minimal production equipment, as finding a broadcast or streaming platform for a one-off game between two unevenly matched sides was considered difficult. It may still be streamed on YouTube for a global audience, but for viewers in India, the match could be shown on regular broadcast platforms,” the report stated.
According to the report, FanCode is the primary frontrunner being courted for the digital streaming rights, leveraging its past extensive collaborations with the JCA on pathway tournaments. ITW Universe is believed to be negotiating linear rights with Star, Sony, and Zee.
The challenge for ITW and the JCA is the scheduling conflict as the women’s gold-medal match at the Asian Games is scheduled to start just one hour after the men's match. With the Indian women among favourites to reach the final, there is a high probability of a broadcast clash. Sony holds the rights for the Asian Games.
The Organizers tried moving the men's match to September 23, but the Japan men's team must travel to Aichi on that day for their opening Asian Games group-stage match against Afghanistan on September 24. These venues are roughly 400km apart.
The two sides will compete for the Suzuki Cup, a landmark match organized by the BCCI and JCA to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations.
The Indian squad will touch down Sano on September 20, while their practice session is scheduled for September 21. The Men in Blue might stay put in Sano for a few days before travelling to Aichi for their Asian Games fixtures. India’s first match, a quarter-final clash, is on September 28.
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
