Asian Games 2026: Amid questions raised regarding the accommodation arrangements for the players during the ongoing Asian Games in Japan, BCCI has made separate accommodation arrangements for the Indian men's cricket team. Board Secretary Devajit Saikia said that due to the large number of support staff along with the men's team, the entire team was not coming within the limit set by the organisers. In such a situation, BCCI decided to make arrangements at its own level instead of keeping the players and support staff at separate places.
Read:- Problems of Indian players increased in Asian Games, 30-35 did not get rooms: Indian expatriates opened the doors
The Indian women's cricket team is staying in the facilities provided by the organizing committee. According to Saikia, the women's team's squad is within the prescribed limit of 20 members, hence there was no need for separate arrangements for it.
This time BCCI's full emphasis on gold
This time India has also changed its strategy regarding cricket in the Asian Games. In 2023, India had sent a second-rate team and won the gold medal. This time BCCI has decided to field a strong team including Jasprit Bumrah and captain Shreyas Iyer. The BCCI Secretary has clearly said that the Board does not consider the Asian Games as a second class tournament and gold medal is one of its main goals.
The special thing is that during the Asian Games, India also has to play a home ODI series against West Indies. Despite this, BCCI has sent a strong T20 team for the Asian Games. The BCCI announced team includes players like Shreyas Iyer, Jasprit Bumrah, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Axar Patel.
Read :- Why did Vaibhav Suryavanshi not get a chance? Coach Gambhir said – Whether the player is 15 or 30, he will have to wait for the opportunity.
Team India will face Japan on September 22
There will also be a historic T20 International match between India and Japan on September 22 during the Asian Games. This is the first men's T20I between the two teams and is being held to mark 75 years of India-Japan diplomatic relations. According to BCCI, the match will be played at Sano International Cricket Ground, Tochigi.
According to BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, the idea of India-Japan match came forward from the initiative of ICC Chairman Jay Shah. This match was discussed with Japanese cricket officials during the ICC meeting held in Edinburgh in July. BCCI has described this as a step towards increasing the reach of cricket in Japan.