Sano, Japan: India will take on Japan in a historic one-off T20I on Tuesday, September 22, with the match marking the first men’s international cricket meeting between the two countries. The game will be played at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture and will also commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan.
The match is also being staged as a final preparatory outing for both teams ahead of the Asian Games 2026, with the cricket competition scheduled to begin next week in Japan. India’s squad includes several established international players as well as young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
For Indian viewers, the match will be available on television as well as through online streaming.
India vs Japan T20I: When and where to watch
The one-off T20I is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.
The match will begin at 9:30 am IST, with the toss scheduled 30 minutes earlier at 9:00 am IST.
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs Japan, one-off T20I |
| Date | September 22, 2026 |
| Venue | Sano International Cricket Ground, Tochigi, Japan |
| Match start | 9:30 am IST |
| Toss | 9:00 am IST |
| TV broadcast | Star Sports Network |
| Free TV broadcast | DD Urdu |
| Live streaming | FanCode app and website |
The broadcast information has been provided by the broadcaster and could be subject to changes.
Where to watch India vs Japan for free
The match will be televised on the Star Sports Network in India. In addition, the game will be broadcast free of charge on DD Urdu, available through DD Free Dish.
Doordarshan Sports confirmed that the historic Suzuki Cup T20I would be available live on DD Urdu from 9:20 am IST.
For viewers who prefer digital platforms, the match will be streamed live on the FanCode app and website.
Historic first meeting between India and Japan
The fixture carries significance beyond its status as a one-off T20I.
India and Japan have never previously faced each other in men’s international cricket. The Sano match therefore represents the first official men’s international cricket meeting between the two countries.
The fixture has been organised as part of celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan.
For Japan, the match provides an opportunity to play against one of international cricket’s leading teams on home soil. The game is also part of the build-up to the Asian Games, where cricket will feature in the competition.
Sano, located around 100 km from Tokyo, is regarded as one of Japan’s important cricket centres.
India squad features experienced players and young talent
India have named a squad combining international experience with younger players.
Shreyas Iyer will lead the side, while the squad includes Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel.
The presence of Sooryavanshi has generated particular interest. The young batter has already attracted attention following his performances in domestic and franchise cricket and is part of India’s plans for the Japan assignment.
Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson also come into the match after featuring prominently in India’s recent T20I series against Afghanistan.
India completed a 3-0 T20I series sweep against Afghanistan, winning the third match by 127 runs. The series provided game time for several players who are also part of the squad for the Japan fixture.
Match is part of Asian Games preparation
The India-Japan T20I comes just days before the start of the cricket competition at the Asian Games 2026.
The Asian Games will provide another major opportunity for India’s players, with the men’s and women’s competitions forming part of the multi-sport event in Aichi-Nagoya.
India’s men’s cricket team is scheduled to begin its Asian Games campaign later in the month, with a quarter-final fixture listed for September 28.
The Japan match therefore gives the team an opportunity to acclimatise to local conditions before the Asian Games competition begins.
Japan players get major international exposure
Japan’s players will also have a significant opportunity to test themselves against an Indian side containing several internationally established cricketers.
According to NDTV Sports, the Japanese squad includes players, many of whom are second-generation Japanese citizens of dual heritage.
The match could consequently help raise the profile of cricket in Japan, where the sport remains considerably smaller than baseball and other established sports.
The game is also part of the Suzuki Cup, adding a competition element to what is otherwise a unique international fixture.
Weather could play a role
Weather conditions have been a concern around the fixture. Rain associated with Typhoon Dujuan disrupted preparations in Japan, with India’s training session cancelled on Monday.
Japan’s match against Hong Kong on September 20 was also abandoned without a ball being bowled because of the weather.
However, the India-Japan fixture remained scheduled for Tuesday morning at the time of the latest available information.
Any further weather-related changes would depend on conditions at the venue and official announcements.
India vs Japan T20I: Key players to watch
India’s squad provides several players for fans to follow during the historic contest.
Shreyas Iyer will lead the team, while Abhishek Sharma comes into the fixture after a strong recent T20I run. The left-handed batter scored a rapid century against Afghanistan, adding another milestone to his international career.
Sanju Samson is also expected to attract attention after opening the batting during India’s Afghanistan series.
Youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is another major talking point. Although he was included in India’s Afghanistan T20I squad, he did not feature in that series. The Japan match could provide another opportunity for the teenager to make his international debut.
At the other end of the experience spectrum, Jasprit Bumrah gives India a leading pace option, while Axar Patel adds all-round ability to the squad.
India vs Japan T20I live updates
The match is scheduled to begin at 9:30 am IST, and live score updates will be available through cricket platforms including NDTV Sports.
The fixture is listed as the only T20I between the two sides and is being played at the Sano International Cricket Ground.
For television viewers, Star Sports will provide the main broadcast, while DD Urdu offers a free television option. Digital viewers can watch through FanCode.
Conclusion
The India vs Japan one-off T20I is a landmark fixture for Japanese cricket and the first men’s international meeting between the two nations. Scheduled for 9:30 am IST on September 22, the match will be played at the Sano International Cricket Ground as part of celebrations marking 75 years of India-Japan diplomatic relations.
The match also serves as preparation for the Asian Games 2026, giving India’s players an opportunity to get accustomed to Japanese conditions before the tournament begins.
Indian viewers can watch the match on the Star Sports Network, while DD Urdu will provide a free television broadcast. The match will also be available for live streaming on FanCode.