JPN vs IND 2026: Why is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi not playing in the Only T20I?

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has once again been deprived of an opportunity to play for India, as their One-off T20I against Japan has gotten underway on Friday, September 22. Shreyas Iyer, the Indian skipper, or the team management chose to keep Sooryavanshi on the bench for the historic encounter between the two sides, being played at the Sano International Cricket Ground, Kento.

JPN vs IND 2026: Toss Update

Iyer called it correctly at the coin flip and reiterated his decision to bat first. The match has been reduced to five overs per side due to wet outfield and rain at the scheduled start time of the encounter. Meanwhile, Japan captain Kendel Fleming also expressed at the toss the opportunity their team has to face a champion team like India and that it feels unreal.

JPN vs IND 2026: Why has Vaibhav Sooryavanshi been benched?

While neither the Indian captain nor the team management has cited any reasons for keeping Sooryavanshi benched for this clash, it can be assumed that the team did not want to try someone else over the in-form Sanju Samson, who got a couple of half-centuries in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan that took place last week. Senior pacer Jasprit Bumrah has also been rested for the encounter, as Yash Thakur has earned a place to fill the boots.

JPN vs IND 2026: What did the captains say?

Shreyas Iyer, India captain, said:

“We want to bat first. It’s a big occasion, and we know the friendship you mentioned: 75 years of friendship. So it’s going to be an exciting one, and we wanted to explore the conditions as well. I never envisioned that I would be coming to Japan and captaining one day. I know the baseball is quite big over here, but today, yeah, I’m standing right here. The crowd is decent; there are a lot of supporters, so it’s important that we give them something back, and also the crowd is watching us from back home. It’s important that this match happened, and it’s happening today. So looking forward for an exciting one. 

“[What are the things you just need to crease out ahead of that Asian Games campaign?] It’s important that we know the conditions and we are aware of what’s happening around us. We know that this is actually going to be the conditions that are going to be offered in the Asian Games as well. We don’t know how the pitches are over there, but definitely this game, this particular game, is going to be of a great practice for us heading into that, and yeah, just waiting for that moment to arrive.”

Kendel Fleming, Japan captain, said:

“We probably would have bowled, just to give the crowd an opportunity to see some of the best players in the world go at it here. But yeah, I was happy either way. [How are the nerves and how are the boys feeling?] Yeah, it’s just pure excitement, I think. It’s starting to sink in now. You know, we’ve tossed, we’re ready to play. But yeah, it’s an amazing opportunity for the players and the broader cricket community. So hopefully we can put on a show.

“[What do you want to bring to the table from a Japanese point of view?] Yeah, obviously there’s quite a few Indian supporters that have come out, but the more people that watch cricket in Japan, the better. So we’re very grateful for everyone that’s come out here and for everyone that’s made the game possible. There are a lot of people working through the night, volunteers, our team that was here all through the night as well. And so we’re extremely grateful to everyone that’s made this game happen, the BCCI, the JCA, our sponsors and as I said, we’re just excited to rip in now.”

“[How good is this test for the Asian Games for you?] Yeah, it’s amazing. The reigning world champions to come here to Sano, we wouldn’t have believed it if you said that a few years ago to us. And then to play against another full member next week is another wonderful opportunity for our men’s team. But at this stage, we’ve got our hands full, so we’re fully focused on this game.”

JPN vs IND 2026: Playing XIs

Japan

Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (C), Benjamin Ito-Davis, Wataru Miyauchi, Alexander Shirai-Patmore (WK), Charlie Hara-Hinze, Ibrahim Takahashi, Declan Suzuki-McComb, Makoto Taniyama, Shoma Sugaya-Slater

India

Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Yash Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh