“It is going to be thrilling”: Shreyas Iyer excited ahead of historic India vs Japan T20I

The India National Cricket Team, led by captain Shreyas Iyer, is currently in Japan for the 2026 Asian Games. Ahead of the Games, they will face the Japan National Cricket Team on September 22 at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture, in a landmark event.

Ahead of the India vs Japan one-off T20I match, India men’s team captain Shreyas Iyer shared his experience so far in Japan. Iyer said that the people in Japan are “cordial, helpful and generous in nature”, just like the people of India, he often sees.

India to meet Japan in a historic T20I match

It will be the first time these two teams face each other in an international match. The match is scheduled to strengthen the diplomatic relationship between India and Japan.

Earlier in September, the Japan Cricket Association (JCA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the one-off match, ahead of the 2026 Asian Games. This match will not only help the Men in Blue in their preparations, but will also mark the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations.

Shreyas Iyer shares his experience in Japan

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a special video a day before the match, featuring the skipper Shreyas Iyer. In the video mentioned that from the time they landed in Japan, they saw that the people there are very cordial, generous, and helpful in nature; additionally, the hospitality is also up to the mark. As he had heard a lot of good things about Japan and Tokyo, Shreyas Iyer wished to explore the city.

“It is beautiful. I mean, when we landed, we saw that the people were very cordial, generous, and helpful in nature, which we see back at home as well. The hospitality is brilliant, and yeah, I mean, it is too early to talk about it, but I’m sure that I’ve heard special things from people about Japan as a country and Tokyo as a city as well, so looking forward to exploring more,” he said.

Shreyas Iyer is expecting a thriller in Japan

Talking about the match, Shreyas Iyer stated that it will be a thriller as they are set to play a match there for the first time. They have no idea about the conditions and nature of the ground and wicket, so he is expecting to have a very tight match in Japan.

“It is going to be a thrilling and exciting match for us. This is the first time we will be playing Japan, and we do not know much about the conditions or the wicket, but looking forward to having a great match,” he added.

Iyer will look to get back in form, as he sustained a series of underwhelming outings in the recently concluded T20I series against Afghanistan in Delhi, scoring only 8*, 11 and 29. India men’s cricket team’s journey in the 2026 Asian Games will start on September 28. Ahead of the first match in the event, it will be important for the team to see the skipper in his usual form with the bat.

Source: cricketaddictor.com