The announcement on the broadcast arrangements for this India vs Japan T20I is likely to be made shortly, with multiple top Indian broadcasters believed to have been approached to provide their commercial offers for the one-off international game.
The fixture, which is set to be hosted at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture on September 22, 2026 arrives with the Japan Cricket Association (JCA) taking the charge of managing its broadcast and digital rights. ESPNcricinfo had been reportedly approached for the rights, with all three major broadcasters: Star Sports, Sony Sports and Zee.
The match has caught the attention amid a massive gap between both sides in terms of world rankings. India come into the contest as a cricketing powerhouse, whereas Japan are still in the process of establishing themselves on the global stage. Nonetheless, it’s seen as a potentially significant opportunity to bring first-rate cricket to a new audience in Japan.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia also said the contest has greater relevance as these tussles are all part of cricket’s process to reach territories beyond its customary markets. The game is backed by the governments of India and Japan, with ties to a broader sporting initiative called “Sport 75.”
The initiative aims to deepen sports cooperation and people-to-people ties between the two countries. This is also in line with Indian aspirations to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games by 2036.
Suzuki, a Japanese automaker today was revealed as title sponsor to the match alongside several other sponsors with an association. The game starts at 9:30 AM IST on September 22.
India is slated to reach Japan on September 19 and then head to Sano, a day later. You are taking part in a training session before the match on September 21.
Shreyas Iyer is expected to captain the Indian side in the first-ever Test between those two sides with VVS Laxman acting as head coach. It has the potential to be a significant moment in Japan’s quest to bolster cricket and grow its international appeal.
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