India and Japan are set to meet in a historic T20 International at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture on Tuesday, September 22. It will be the first-ever T20I between the two nations and Japan’s first match against a full ICC member nation, making it a notable occasion for Japanese cricket.
The match, being played for the Suzuki Cup, is part of the Sport 75 initiative celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. Sano, located around 100 km from Tokyo, is popularly known for its ramen, but the city is now preparing to welcome Indian cricket stars.
India will also use the fixture as preparation for the Asian Games, while Japan sees the match as an opportunity to promote cricket and build interest in the sport. Japan captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming will lead the hosts against India in the one-off T20I.
