TOCHIGI, JAPAN — The Japan Cricket Association has officially announced a 15-member national squad for their upcoming historic T20 International against world T20 champions India. Scheduled to take place on September 22 at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture, the landmark fixture—dubbed the Suzuki Cup—will mark the first-ever international cricket encounter between the two nations.

Veteran batter and Japan’s all-time leading T20I run-scorer, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, will lead the side into this monumental clash. The squad selected for the fixture is identical to the roster that will represent Japan in their home campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya starting just two days later. Consequently, selection was restricted strictly to players eligible under Asian Games rules, leaving out non-passport-holding players who otherwise meet ICC eligibility requirements.

A Mix of Experience and Homegrown Talent

The 15-player group features a strong core of experienced international campaigners alongside emerging domestic talent. Alongside skipper Kadowaki-Fleming, key stalwarts Ibrahim Takahashi and Declan Suzuki-McComb—both boasting over 50 T20I caps—bring vital veteran leadership to the squad.

Veteran spinner Tsuyoshi Takada, who debuted for Japan back at the 2013 ICC East Asia-Pacific Twenty20 Championship, makes his return to the side. The announcement also highlights the progress of Japan’s grassroots development:

  • School Pathway Success: Key inclusions like wicketkeeper-batsman Wataru Miyauchi and leg-spinner Makoto Taniyama are products of Japanese high school Bukatsu (club sports) cricket programs. Taniyama, who sports jersey #23 in tribute to his idol Shane Warne, currently stands as Japan's all-time leading wicket-taker across pathway and international fixtures.

  • Youth & Comebacks: Young all-rounder Charlie Hara-Hinze retains his spot after featuring in Japan's Under-19 World Cup squad, while spinner Benjamin Ito-Davis makes a welcome return following a hand injury that sidelined him during the T20 World Cup 2028 Sub-Regional Qualifier.

  • New Faces: Uncapped domestic standout Jake Kusuda-Nairn has earned his call-up after delivering dominant performances in local Japanese competitions.

Part of the 'Sport 75' Cultural Initiative

This historic match forms the flagship sporting event under the 'Sport 75' banner—a bilateral exchange initiative resulting from high-level diplomatic agreements between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Commemorating 75 years of formal diplomatic relations between Japan and India, the project aims to foster deeper cultural and athletic collaboration.

For India, the high-profile tour—led by captain Shreyas Iyer—serves as their final warm-up fixture ahead of defending their gold medal at the Asian Games. For Japan, the fixture caps off a dense international schedule, which includes two bilateral T20Is against Hong Kong on September 19 and 20 before taking on Asian heavyweights Afghanistan and Nepal in Nagoya.

Japan T20I Squad vs India:

Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (c), Charlie Hara-Hinze, Benjamin Ito-Davis, Alester Kadowaki-Fleming, Kohei Kubota, Jake Kusuda-Nairn, Wataru Miyauchi (wk), Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Alex Shirai-Patmore (wk), Shoma Sugaya-Slater, Declan Suzuki-McComb, Tsuyoshi Takada, Ibrahim Takahashi, Makoto Taniyama, Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake.