India’s men’s cricket team will commence its campaign at the 2026 Asian Games earlier than initially scheduled. This change comes after the event organizers in Japan revised the timings of several knockout matches.
India, who enter the competition directly at the quarter-final stage, will now play their opening knockout fixture at 1:30 pm local time on September 28. Since Japan is 3 hours and 30 minutes ahead of India, the match will begin at 10 am IST. The change also affects the second semi-final on October 1 and the men’s gold medal match on October 3. Both have been moved to a 1:30 pm local start. The official Aichi-Nagoya 2026 schedule confirms the updated timings. The afternoon matches were previously scheduled for 2 pm local time, meaning the revised plan brings them forward by 30 minutes. The first quarter-final, involving Pakistan, will retain its 9 am local start. India’s match will be played later that day at 1:30 pm. The second semi-final on October 1 is scheduled for 1:30 pm Japan time, while the first semi-final will begin at 9 am. The same pattern will continue for the medal matches on October 3. The bronze medal contest is scheduled for 9 am, followed by the gold medal match at 1:30 pm local time.
Because a T20 match can run beyond its expected duration due to delays, innings breaks or other interruptions, the issue is particularly relevant in cricket. Their first match of the tournament is therefore scheduled for September 28. With Japan experiencing an early sunset, organisers have opted to provide more daylight for the later knockout fixtures. India have been seeded directly into the quarter-finals alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The Indian team will face the second placed side from Group A in the quarter-final. Afghanistan, Japan and Nepal are competing in that group, with the top two teams progressing to the knockout stage. If India advance beyond the quarter-final, their next match will also have an afternoon start.
India’s Cricket Teams Set to Compete in Asian Games
India’s women’s cricket team will kick off its Asian Games campaign on September 18 against Japan. The men’s tournament is scheduled to begin on September 24. All cricket matches at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will be played in the T20 format. The Indian men’s team enters the competition as the defending champions, having secured the gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
