"When [the game] gets that close, [the loss is] actually a little bit tougher to take," Japan captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming says after narrow defeat to India
India edged past Japan by two runs in a thrilling fiveβover oneβoff T20I, with Axar Patel defending eight runs in the final over after Japan restricted the reigning champions to 32/4.
India secured its first gold medal at the Asian Games 2026 on Tuesday after the Harmanpreet Kaur-led women's cricket team defeated Sri Lanka in the final by 147 runs.
Opener Smriti Mandhana etched her name into history at the Asian Games 2026 during Indiaβs goldβmedal clash against Sri Lanka Women at the Korogi Sports Park in Nagoya.
India won the toss and opted to bat first, a decision reflecting their confidence after marching into the final unbeaten, having thrashed Japan and Bangladesh in the group stages.
The Chennai Super Kings on Monday announced Zaheer Khan as its new head coach, succeeding Stephen Fleming, who ha now joined England as the new Test coach.
The India vs Japan match, named the Suzuki Cup, is unprecedented and celebrates 75 years of IndiaβJapan diplomatic relations, while also offering Japan a rare chance to test themselves against the reigning T20 World Champions.
Ajit Agarkarβs tenure as chairman of Indiaβs menβs selection committee is nearing its end after a threeβyear stint marked by triumphs such as the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Champions Trophy 2025, and Asia Cup 2025, but also controversies and highβprofile retirements.
Ahead of the landmark India vs Japan T20I that launches the Asian Games 2026 campaign, Japanese allβrounder Benjamin ItoβDavis vowed to remain spirited, while Jake KusudaβNairn set his sights on dismissing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.