India to play Japan in one-off T20I at Sano on September 22, 2026
India will play Japan in a one-off T20 International at Sano International Cricket Ground in Sano, Kanto on September 22, 2026, with the match scheduled to start at 9:30 AM IST. The fixture coincides with the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations and is the first time the two sides will meet at international level.
Shreyas Iyer is named captain of the Indian side while Kendel Fleming will lead Japan. The match is described as a significant learning opportunity for Japan, which "have not faced full membership much in their history", and the report indicates Team India could rest several senior players with "high chances" that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will be in action.
Weather and pitch forecasts for Sano show clear, humid conditions with a maximum temperature of 31°C and average humidity of 56 percent. Sano International Stadium is said to offer an even wicket for T20 cricket, with an average first-inning score of 120-125; the ground is generally low-scoring, has a 55-metre boundary on one side, and a surface that can be sluggish at times, making it suitable for spinners.
Japan’s named XI is: Wataru Miyauchi (wk), Ibrahim Takahashi, Tsuyoshi Takada, Alester Fleming, Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, Kendel Fleming (C), Kohei Kubota, Benjamin Ito Davis, Charlie Hara-Hinze, Jake Kusuda-Nairn, Reo Sakurano Thomas.
India’s announced XI is: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravi Bishnoi.
Suggested Dream11 selections listed in the preview include wicket-keepers Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson; batters Abhishek Sharma and Kendel Fleming; all-rounders Axar Patel, Benjamin Ito Davis and Tsuyoshi Takada; and bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi and Kohei Kubota. Captain First-Choice: Arshdeep Singh || Captain Second-Choice: Jasprit Bumrah. Vice-Captain First-Choice: Ishan Kishan || Vice-captain Second-Choice: Ravi Bishnoi. An alternate captain pairing shown is Abhishek Sharma (First-Choice) and Axar Patel (Second-Choice) with Sanju Samson and Tsuyoshi Takada named as vice-captain options.
Khel Now’s preview expects Team India to win the one-off T20I; the match will take place on September 22, 2026, at Sano International Cricket Ground, Sano, Kanto.