Japan name squad for historic one-off T20I against India

Japan have named their squad for a historic one-off men’s T20I against India, scheduled for September 22 at the Sano International Cricket Ground. India are the reigning ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions and the No.1 ranked T20I side in the world.

The 15-man group is identical to the squad selected for Japan’s home Asian Games campaign, which begins two days after the India fixture in Nagoya. As part of their Asian Games preparation, Japan have not included players who qualify for T20Is under ICC regulations but are ineligible under Asian Games rules, a decision that has shaped the composition of the group.

The match forms the first step of Sport 75, an initiative connected to an agreement between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The programme is designed to advance sporting cooperation and human exchanges between the two countries, with India‘s bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games forming part of the broader context.

Who are the notable inclusions in Japan’s squad?

Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, Japan’s all-time leading T20I run-scorer, captains the side once again. Ibrahim Takahashi and Declan Suzuki-McComb are the only other members of the squad with more than 50 T20I appearances to their names.

Emerging spin-bowling all-rounder Jake Kusuda-Nairn earns a first call-up after impressing in domestic competition, while veteran Tsuyoshi Takada returns to the fold. Takada made his debut for Japan at the ICC East Asia-Pacific Twenty20 Championship back in 2013, making his recall a notable moment in the squad announcement.

Spinner Benjamin Ito-Davis is also back after his East Asia-Pacific T20 World Cup 2028 Sub-Regional Qualifier was cut short by a hand injury. Charlie Hara-Hinze, who was part of Japan’s U19 side that defeated Tanzania at the Cricket World Cup, is included as well. Leg-spinner Makoto Taniyama, Japan’s leading wicket-taker across all pathway and international competitions, wears shirt number 23 in tribute to Shane Warne, whose YouTube videos he studied to develop his bowling action. Wataru Miyauchi and Taniyama are both alumni of Japanese schools with cricket Bukatsu programmes.

What is Japan’s recent form and upcoming schedule?

Japan finished second at the East Asia-Pacific T20 World Cup 2028 Sub-Regional Qualifier and remain in contention for 2028 T20 World Cup qualification. They ended level on points with Papua New Guinea but were separated by net run rate, despite beating the Barramundis on the final day of the tournament.

Before the India fixture, Japan will play two T20Is against Hong Kong on September 19 and September 20. At the Asian Games in Nagoya, they are drawn against Afghanistan on September 24 and Nepal on September 26, with a top-two finish in their group required to advance to the quarter-finals.

Japan full squad for one-off T20I against India and Asian Games 2026

Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (c), Charlie Hara-Hinze, Benjamin Ito-Davis, Alester Kadowaki-Fleming, Kohei Kubota, Jake Kusuda-Nairn, Wataru Miyauchi (wk), Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Alex Shirai-Patmore (wk), Shoma Sugaya-Slater, Declan Suzuki-McComb, Tsuyoshi Takada, Ibrahim Takahashi, Makoto Taniyama, Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake