Sano, September 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India won the toss and elected to bat against Japan in the one-off T20I at the Sano International Cricket Ground on Tuesday, with the match reduced to five overs per side due to a wet outfield.
The toss, initially scheduled for 9 a.m. IST, was delayed because of the conditions. India made several notable selections ahead of their departure for the Asian Games, with young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi missing out of the playing XI.
The match is India’s only T20I against Japan before the team heads to the Asian Games as defending champions. The contest in Tochigi Prefecture is also part of celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Japan.
The game marks the launch of “Sport 75”, an initiative aimed at promoting human exchanges and cooperation between the two countries through sport.
India captain Shreyas Iyer said the shortened format made batting first a logical choice.
“It’s a big occasion, 75 years of friendship. Five-over game, so it will be our forte to bat first,” Iyer said after winning the toss.
He also noted the importance of gaining familiarity with the local conditions, saying the game would provide useful preparation for the Asian Games.
Japan captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming said her side would probably have chosen to bowl first to give the home crowd the opportunity to watch some of India’s leading players, but was happy with the outcome of the toss.
Calling the occasion an important opportunity for Japanese cricket, Kadowaki-Fleming thanked the Japan Cricket Association, BCCI, sponsors, volunteers and others involved in organising the match.
Playing XIs
India: Sanju Samson (w), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Yash Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh
Japan: Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (c), Benjamin Ito-Davis, Wataru Miyauchi, Alexander Shirai-Patmore (w), Charlie Hara-Hinze, Ibrahim Takahashi, Declan Suzuki-McComb, Makoto Taniyama, Shoma Sugaya-Slater
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