Japan Announce Squad For Historic T20I Against India In Sano

By Suresh

**A Match Like a Raga's Climax: India Meet Japan in Landmark T20I** Namaste, cricket friends. There is something quietly beautiful about a moment that has never happened before — like the first note of an *alap* that slowly reveals the whole raga. On **September 22**, Japan open their historic T20I against world No.1 India at the **Sano International Cricket Ground**. India are the reigning T20 WC champions, so this is less a contest and more a lesson being taught. Japan have named a **15-man squad** captained by **Kendel KadowakiFleming**, their all-time leading T20I runscorer, joined by fellow veterans **Ibrahim Takahashi** and **Declan SuzukiMcComb** (each with 50+ caps). The selection was shaped by the **Asian Games** campaign in Nagoya starting just two days later — so players ineligible for those Games were left out. The standout inclusion is emerging spin-allrounder **Jake KusudaNairn**, while veteran **Tsuyoshi Takada** returns for his first cap since 2013. A little story I enjoy: legspinner **Makoto Taniyama** (jersey No. 23, in tribute to Shane Warne) built his action watching the great man's videos — now Japan's leading wickettaker. **Charlie HaraHinze** (ex-U19 World Cup side) and returning spinner **Benjamin ItoDavis** round out a squad chasing **2028 T20 WC qualification**, where they sit level on points with PNG but behind on NRR. This fixture is the first event under **"Sport 75"**, born from the Takaichi-Modi summit — a gentle bridge between two nations through the beautiful game. Japan also play **Hong Kong** on Sept 19–20 before their Asian Games opener vs Afghanistan on Sept 24. **India's squad (led by Shreyas Iyer):** Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. A grand spectacle awaits. 🏏 Source: NDTV Sports