India-Japan T20 a big step for cricket’s global growth: Devajit Saikia
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced a historic T20 International match between India and Japan to be held in Tochigi, Japan. The match aims to promote cricket's global growth and strengthen diplomatic ties.
Why it matters
The expansion of cricket into non-traditional markets like Japan is a strategic goal for the ICC to increase the sport's global footprint.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia on Monday (September 7, 2026) said the historic one-off T20 International between India and Japan this month will be a significant moment in cricket's journey to become a global sport by connecting to a new audience.
India and Japan are set to lock horns for the first time in a historic T20I in Japan on September 22, ahead of the men's cricket competition at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. The Games will start on September 19.
The match will be played at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture. Played under the banner of the Suzuki Cup, it will commemorate the 75th anniversary of India–Japan diplomatic relations.
Mr. Saikia said the match is an effort of ICC chairman Jay Shah to take cricket to newer territories.
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