Record Crowd and Streaming Numbers Mark Japan‑India T20 Encounter

The historic T20 International between Japan and India on September 25 attracted unprecedented attention. A crowd of 2,149 spectators gathered at Sano International Cricket Ground, setting a new attendance record for any cricket event in Japan.

In addition to the packed stadium, the match was streamed online in both English and Japanese, accumulating over two million views. The dual‑language broadcast helped introduce cricket to a broader Japanese audience and highlighted the sport’s growing popularity.

Despite rain trimming the contest to five overs per side, Japan bowled India out for 32/4 and then chased the total, ending just two runs shy of victory. Captain Kendel Kadovaki‑Flaming praised his team’s confidence and said the experience will fuel further development.

He stressed that to close the gap with leading nations, Japan must invest in grassroots cricket, expand school competitions, and provide better facilities. The record attendance and streaming figures demonstrate a rising appetite that could support those ambitions.