India men's cricket departure to Asian Games 2026 hit by kit-sizing problem

India's men's cricket team's planned departure to the Asian Games 2026 in Japan was disrupted by a last-minute kit-sizing issue ahead of their scheduled flight from New Delhi on Sunday, September 20. Meanwhile, India's women's side advanced to the semi-finals after defeating Japan in the quarter-final.

The Asian Games 2026 have begun in Japan and Indian athletes are competing across multiple sports, with the cricket tournament already under way. India's women's team beat Japan in the quarter-final, with Shree Charani playing a key role with the ball as the side moved closer to a medal. The men's squad, led by Shreyas Iyer, has not yet started its Asian Games campaign and is due to travel to Japan ahead of the tournament.

The departure disruption centred on jersey sizing, with some players reportedly still waiting for correctly sized kits. The problem has involved the Indian Olympic Association's kit supplier JSW Inspire and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and was described in reports attributed to PTI as a last-minute issue ahead of travel.

There was a back-and-forth over sizing between the BCCI and JSW Inspire, and while most of the incorrect fittings have been addressed a small number of replacement kits remain outstanding. “There was a sizing issue in kits of cricketers; the majority of them have been rectified. There are a few left, and they will be delivered to the team shortly. With players needing two different jerseys there (one for bilateral and another for Asian Games), this can happen,” an IOA source told PTI.

Travel and match logistics were adjusted around the kit situation: the team is scheduled to leave New Delhi on Sunday, September 20, and will play a one-off T20I against Japan on September 22 wearing their regular India kit. After that fixture the players are set to switch to the official Asian Games jersey for the main tournament.

India's men's cricket campaign at the Asian Games will begin at the quarter-final stage on September 28.