Devajit Saikia Praises India-Japan T20I as Friendship Breakthrough
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia pondered on the match’s significance, underlining that it was about more than just the outcome.
On September 22, 2026, India defeated Japan by two runs in a one-off Twenty20 International at the Sano International Cricket Ground. The rain-shortened match, played in a five-over format, was Japan’s first men’s international cricket match versus India.
India batted first, reaching 32 for four wickets in five overs, with Shreyas Iyer leading the way with 16 off 12 balls. The match was part of the Sport 75 project, which encourages sporting interactions between India and Japan in honour of the two nations’ 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Indian batting and Japan’s bowling performance
India’s batting struggled early on against Japan’s bowling onslaught. Abhishek Sharma fell without troubling the scorers, while Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan both left cheaply. Shreyas Iyer’s composed 16 off 12 balls laid the foundation for India’s score, enabling the side reach 32 for 4 in their allotted five overs.
Japan’s chase began with an early loss, as the squad fell to 7 for 2 wickets. Japan’s skipper, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, and Benjamin Ito-Davis produced some resistance in the middle overs to help stabilise the innings.
Washington Sundar emerged as India’s best bowler, grabbing two wickets and finishing on 2 for 13. Sundar pulled Kadowaki-Fleming, who had scored 12 off 12 balls, at a critical point in Japan’s chase.
Japan needed eight runs from the last six balls to finish the chase. Axar Patel was tasked with defending the final over, and he held Japan to 30 for three wickets, clinching India’s two-run win. Charlie Hara-Hinze took two for seventeen for Japan, emerging as the match’s most successful bowler.
Devajit Saikia expressed confidence about the match’s overall impact on cricket’s growth in Japan and the region.
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He underlined how the enthusiasm of Japanese fans and players will assist to solidify the sport in Japan and adjacent areas.
