India enter this historic first meeting as overwhelming favourites, fresh from sweeping Afghanistan 3-0. Japan have home advantage and an improving bowling attack, but their batting remains vulnerable against stronger opposition. A comfortable India victory looks likely, with Japan's ability to reach 100 runs an intriguing betting consideration.
Key Stats - Sharma among the Runs
- Japan’s Alexander Shirai-Patmore has scored 43, 21 & 52 in his last 5 knocks.
- Japan’s Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming has scores of 37* & 45 in his last 5 innings.
- Japan’s Charlie Hara-Hinze has figures of 3/7, 2/12, 2/18 & 2/21 in 4 matches.
- India’s Abhishek Sharma has scored 82, 39 & 108 in his last 3 matches.
- India’s Sanju Samson has scores of 57 & 50 in his last 2 innings.
- India’s Ravi Bishnoi has taken 1/24, 1/32 & 3/26 in his last 3 matches.
Head-to-Head
This will be the first meeting between the two nations.
Japan Looking to make a Statement
Japan face the biggest challenge in their cricketing history when they welcome reigning T20 World Cup champions India to Sano International Cricket Ground. The hosts will hope the landmark occasion provides further momentum for a developing cricket programme ahead of their Asian Games campaign.
Their recent performances demonstrate both promise and the considerable gap they must overcome. Japan finished second in the East Asia-Pacific World Cup qualifier, defeating Papua New Guinea by 26 runs in May. Captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming scored 45 from 33 deliveries as Japan defended 121/7, restricting PNG to 95/8.
However, batting remains a concern. Japan managed only 95/7 against Hong Kong on 19 September, losing by four wickets despite reducing their opponents to 36/5. Benjamin Ito-Davis contributed 35 and claimed 3/11, while teenage spinner Charlie Hara-Hinze took 2/21.
Kadowaki-Fleming, Japan's leading T20I run-scorer, remains central to their hopes, alongside experienced campaigners Ibrahim Takahashi and Declan Suzuki-McComb. Against India's formidable attack, partnerships and preserving wickets through the powerplay will be essential if Japan are to post a competitive total.
India should Cruise
India arrive in Japan following an emphatic 3-0 T20I series victory over Afghanistan, with their batting and bowling units both producing outstanding performances. The world champions now have an opportunity to adjust to Japanese conditions before beginning their Asian Games campaign later this month.
Abhishek Sharma has been the standout performer, finishing the Afghanistan series with a remarkable 108 from just 34 balls in the final match. His century came from only 30 deliveries, the fastest by an Indian in T20 internationals, as India posted 221/7 before dismissing Afghanistan for 94 to complete a 127-run victory.
India possess extraordinary batting depth, with Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and captain Shreyas Iyer offering numerous options. Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is also in the squad and could receive an opportunity against Japan.
The bowling attack features Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, supported by Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi. Even if India rotate their combinations, their quality across both departments presents an enormous challenge for the hosts. Early wickets could make this a particularly difficult afternoon for Japan.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming leads the established Japan squad, with Benjamin Ito-Davis returning after an earlier hand injury. Charlie Hara-Hinze, Ibrahim Takahashi and Makoto Taniyama provide important bowling options. Japan's second T20I against Hong Kong on 20 September was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Shreyas Iyer will captain India’s confirmed 14-man squad. Varun Chakaravarthy has been ruled out with a side strain and replaced by Vipraj Nigam. Harshit Rana is also unavailable following a muscle injury, while Nitish Kumar Reddy has been withdrawn from the Asian Games squad to play in the West Indies ODI series. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remains available after sitting out the Afghanistan series.
Japan squad: Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (c), Charlie Hara-Hinze, Benjamin Ito-Davis, Alester Kadowaki Fleming, Kohei Kubota, Jake Kusuda-Nairn, Wataru Miyauchi (wk), Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Shirai-Patmore, Shoma Sugaya-Slater, Declan Suzuki, Tsuyoshi Takada, Ibrahim Takahashi, Makoto Taniyama, Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake.
India’s squad: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.