New Delhi, Sep 16: India’s cricket teams are entering the final stage of preparations for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, with the men’s and women’s T20 competitions scheduled to begin before the Games’ official opening ceremony.
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will officially run from September 19 to October 4, while cricket is scheduled to get underway from September 17. India is among the teams competing in both men’s and women’s events.
India’s participation comes after a strong recent run in women’s cricket, while the men’s side will also look to make an impact in the continental competition. Cricket will be played in the T20 format, adding another major tournament to the international calendar.
The Indian contingent is aiming to build on its performance at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where the country recorded a then-record 107 medals overall. India’s preparations have also been shaped by the absence of javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who is missing the Games because of injury.
Japan’s hosting of the tournament is also significant for cricket, with the country using the event to expand the sport’s profile alongside more established sports such as baseball and football.