Cricket is one of the world’s most popular sports, yet in Japan, the bat-and-ball game only enjoys a niche following and lags light years behind baseball in national relevance. The ongoing Asian Games and a historic contest against India, however, are giving the sport a moment in the sun and an opportunity to add a jolt to its steady growth in Japan. Cricket is a major sport across Southeast Asia, and some of the top cricket nations in the world are being represented at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which is featuring the sport’s faster-paced T20 format.
The women’s competition, which began Sept. 17 and wrapped up on Tuesday, featured four teams that are in the top 10 of the T20 international world rankings. The men’s competition, which starts Thursday and is scheduled to end on Oct. 3, will feature global powerhouse India, the two-time reigning T20 World Cup champion, and four other top 10 nations. Japan’s men warmed up for the Asian Games with a special “Suzuki Cup” contest against India at Sano International Cricket Ground 1 in Sano, Tochigi Prefecture on Tuesday.
The match, the first men’s international contest between the two nations, was part of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and India. It was nearly notable for an entirely unexpected reason, with Japan falling just short of a giant-killing of massive proportions in a two-run loss that came after a controversial ruling that saw a wide ball overturned in the final over. The chance to see so many top teams compete in Japan is not one that comes around often, and those behind the sport are looking to make the most of the opportunity.
People know that cricket is supposed to be the second-largest sport in the world and that these top stars earn so much money. But without having the first-hand experience of seeing or hearing or watching India or the top teams in the world, you don’t actually see the impact. We’ve all had our first cricket match.
It’s lovely to see more people getting theirs.” Cricket was a late addition to the Asian Games, leaving organizers just 17 months to prepare without the luxury of facilities in the region that met the required standards. With the JCA providing support in a third-party capacity, organizers were able to secure Korogi Athletic Park, in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture, and set up a cricket ground to host the matches and temporary stands for fans. The buildup did not come together without a few issues, namely with the Board of Control for Cricket India reportedly having complaints about the facilities and accommodations before the Asian Games.
Despite that, the Asiad is a chance for Japan to reap some of the benefits of hosting an international showcase. According to the JCA, there are 7,300 cricket players in Japan, while the number of annual participants in the sport is 14,000. International Cricket Council chief executive Sanjog Gupta recently told Matt Slater of The Athletic that the ICC views Japan as a critical new market in East Asia.
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