India plays cricket with many countries, and this time it is playing against Japan. Though it sounds bit awkward but it is true. As the craze of cricket is expanding in Asian countries, BCCI and Japan Cricket Association have joined hands together and these two Asian nations met for the very first time in a men’s international cricket match on 22 September 2026 and played first ever T20 game (Ind vs Jap) at Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The match was scheduled as useful practice ahead of the men’s cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games.
Japan National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Stats– Head to Head (Total)
Both teams have faced each other only 1 time in T20 game on 22 September 2026 and in that game India won the match by 2 runs. It was 20 overs match, but due to the bad weather only 5-5 over match played. While in women’s T20 game (India vs Japan), 20 overs match played, and team India chased that score in 5 overs and won by 8 wickets.
| Format | Match | India won | Japan won | Tie |
| TEST | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODI | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
The two teams had never faced each other in Tests and ODIs at senior level. The T20I match created the first set of head-to-head records between them. Rain reduced the contest to just five overs per side, yet it still produced a tense finish that cricket fans will remember.
Japan National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Stats – T20I Matches
Highest Team Score
| Team | Score | Against | Ground |
| India | 32/4 (5.0 overs) | Japan | Sano International Cricket Ground, Sano |
| Japan | 30/3 (5.0 overs) | India | – SICG, Sano – |
Lowest Team Score
| Team | Score | Against | Ground |
| Japan | 30/3 (5.0 overs) | India | Sano International Cricket Ground, Sano |
| India | 32/4 (5.0 overs) | Japan | – SICG, Sano – |
Most Runs
| Player | Innings | Runs | Highest Score |
| Shreyas Iyer (IND) | 1 | 16 | 16 |
| Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (JPN) | 1 | 12 | 12 |
| Sanju Samson (IND) | 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Benjamin Ito-Davis (JPN) | 1 | 9 | 9 |
Highest Strike Rate
| Player | Innings | Runs | Best Strike Rate |
| Ibrahim Takahashi (JPN) | 1 | 4 | 133.33 |
| Shreyas Iyer (IND) | 1 | 16 | 133.33 |
| Sanju Samson (IND) | 1 | 9 | 128.57 |
| Benjamin Ito-Davis (JPN) | 1 | 9 | 112.5 |
Most Wickets
| Player | Innings | Wickets | Best Figures |
| Charles Hinze (JPN) | 1 | 2 | 2/17 (2.0 ov) |
| Washington Sundar (IND) | 1 | 2 | 2/13 (2.0 ov) |
| Benjamin Ito-Davis (JPN) | 1 | 1 | 1/2 (1.0 ov) |
| Ibrahim Takahashi (JPN) | 1 | 1 | 1/13 (2.0 ov) |
Best Economy
| Player | Economy |
| Benjamin Ito-Davis (JPN) | 2.00 (1.0 ov, 2 runs) |
| Axar Patel (IND) | 3.50 (2.0 ov, 7 runs) |
| Washington Sundar (IND) | 6.50 (2.0 ov, 13 runs) |
| Ibrahim Takahashi (JPN) | 6.50 (2.0 ov, 13 runs) |
Final Conclusion
India is a full member of ICC, while Japan is an Associate Member. India is a strong contender with 100% winning rate against Japan. But this stats doesn’t tell whole story in depth as both nations faced each other once in only in T20 game. Thought it is just a beginning, in the upcoming years we can see more cricket matches between India and Japan in Asian Games, Asia Cricket Cup, or bilateral series.
It strengthened friendship through sport, gave Japanese players valuable experience against elite opposition, and marked a new chapter in Asian cricket history.
What do you think of this? Did we miss anything to highlight here? Please let us know in the comments and don’t forget to share with others on social media.
