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India, Japan to play historic men's T20I match ahead of Asian Games
On September 22, India will face Japan in a one-off T20 International match at the Sano International Cricket Ground to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, The BCCI announced Friday.
The Suzuki Cup match serves as the flagship event for 'Sport 75,' a bilateral initiative following a summit agreement between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to foster sporting cooperation.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said the fixture introduces cricket to new audiences in Japan and East Asia, while JCA CEO Naoki Miyaji invited local residents to witness the 'landmark moment' at the ground.
The match functions as a warm-up for the Asian Games, where the Shreyas Iyer-led Indian side will play their quarter-final on September 28, six days after the Suzuki Cup clash.
India has expressed ambition to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036, positioning the nation as an emerging global hub for major international sporting events.