Never Thought I Would Play in Japan: Shreyas Iyer Ahead of Historic T20

India captain Shreyas Iyer said he never imagined playing an international cricket match in Japan, describing the historic fixture as a sign that the sport is gradually expanding into new territories across the world.

India are set to face Japan on Tuesday, September 22, in Sano, in the first international fixture between the two nations. The match will also launch celebrations marking 75 years of India-Japan diplomatic relations. India arrived in Japan on Sunday before travelling to Nagoya for the Asian Games.

“It is something I never thought about, but cricket is picking up in every country now,” Iyer said ahead of the game, adding that the growing strength of teams around the world should make the contest an exciting one.

Persistent rain, however, forced India to cancel their training session on Monday. The match is scheduled to be played in Sano, around 100 km from Tokyo, with Iyer hoping the weather allows the players and spectators to enjoy a competitive contest.

The India skipper also spoke about his first impressions of Japan, praising the warmth and hospitality of the people. He said the experience had been different from India's usual tours of Australia, England and New Zealand, particularly because of the country's culture, discipline and way of life.

On the cricket itself, Iyer admitted India had limited knowledge of the Japanese players and playing conditions. He said the team would study their opponents and assess the wicket before taking the field.

The captain also highlighted the IPL's role in developing young Indian talent, citing 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as an example. Iyer said the league provides youngsters with a major platform to showcase their skills, gain recognition and eventually push for a place in the Indian team.

With India making their first international cricket appearance in Japan, Iyer said the players were excited about embracing the new experience and taking on the challenge.