Indian Team Warms Up With Football Session After Toss Delay Due to Wet Outfield in India vs Japan One-Off T20I
The historic one-off T20I between India and Japan in Sano has been delayed due to a wet outfield caused by Typhoon Dujuan on September 22, 2026. This Suzuki Cup match, a first-ever men's international between the two nations, is crucial for India's Asian Games preparations and a landmark event for Japanese cricket.
Cricket fans eagerly awaiting the historic clash between India and Japan at the Sano International Cricket Ground were met with disappointment this morning as the toss for the one-off T20 International, the Suzuki Cup, was delayed due to a wet outfield. Heavy rainfall brought by Typhoon Dujuan has significantly impacted the playing conditions, pushing back the start of what promises to be a landmark moment for Japanese cricket. Toss in India vs Japan T20I Delayed Due to Wet Outfield.
Indian Team Warms Up With Football Session After Toss Delay
Konnichiwa 🫡
Here’s what’s happening on the ground in Japan 📢
Stream Japan vs India LIVE on FanCode 📲#JPNvIND pic.twitter.com/X9xCCPz6nr
— FanCode (@FanCode) September 22, 2026
The Indian team made the most of the delayed start by taking part in a football session during their warm-up in Sano. The toss for the one-off T20I against Japan was delayed due to a wet outfield, forcing both teams to wait before the match could begin.
The match, scheduled to commence at 1:00 PM Japan Standard Time (JST) on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, carries immense significance beyond the boundary ropes. It forms a cornerstone of the 'Sport 75' initiative, celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. For India, the reigning T20 World Cup champions, this fixture serves as crucial preparation for their upcoming Asian Games campaign, which begins on September 28. Japan, ranked 41st in the T20I format, views this as an unparalleled opportunity to test their mettle against a full ICC member nation for the first time.
Weather Woes in Sano
The build-up to this momentous game has been plagued by adverse weather. Typhoon Dujuan's movement towards Japan's eastern Pacific coast brought torrential rain and strong winds to the Kanto region, including Tochigi Prefecture where Sano is located. India's scheduled training session on Monday was cancelled due due to the downpour. Furthermore, Japan's T20I against Hong Kong at the same venue on September 20 was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to the conditions.
Match officials conducted an inspection at 9:45 AM IST (1:15 PM JST) but were not satisfied with the outfield. Despite the sun making an appearance and players from both teams being out in the middle for warm-ups, the ground remains too wet for play. A subsequent inspection was scheduled, with hopes that conditions would improve enough for a shortened match.
Team Line-ups and Expectations
India, led by Shreyas Iyer, has fielded a strong squad for this encounter, featuring experienced campaigners and promising young talent. The squad includes wicketkeepers Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, along with Jasprit Bumrah, Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Thakur, and Vipraj Nigam.
Japan's squad, captained by Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, also includes players like Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, who holds the record for the highest T20 partnership with Kadowaki-Fleming. This match is a significant step in Japan's efforts to develop cricket domestically, providing invaluable exposure to top-tier international competition. India vs Japan Live Streaming Online and Free Telecast, One-Off T20I 2026.
India Squad (Proposed XI)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)
- Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper)
- Shreyas Iyer (Captain)
- Tilak Varma
- Shivam Dube
- Axar Patel
- Washington Sundar
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Arshdeep Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah
Japan Squad (Key Players)
- Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (Captain)
- Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake
With no reserve day scheduled for this one-off T20I, the match officials and ground staff are working against the clock to ensure some play is possible. Any further delays could lead to a shortened game, with the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method coming into play if a minimum number of overs are completed.
Cricket enthusiasts in India and Japan will be closely monitoring the weather and ground conditions, hoping for a window of opportunity to witness this historic contest unfold at the Sano International Cricket Ground. The outcome of the match, whether on the field or curtailed by rain, will undoubtedly be a talking point for cricketing dialogues between the two nations.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 22, 2026 11:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
