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Japan Announce Squad For Historic T20I Against India In Sano

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Japan have announced their squad for their historic men’s T20I against reigning T20 World Cup champions and world No.1 India, with Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming set to lead the side in the landmark clash at the Sano International Cricket Ground on September 22. The squad features the same group selected for Japan’s home Asian Games campaign, which begins in Nagoya two days after the India fixture, reported ICC. Kadowaki-Fleming, Japan’s all-time leading T20I run-scorer, will captain the side and will be joined by Ibrahim Takahashi and Declan Suzuki-McComb, the other two members of the squad with more than 50 T20I appearances.

Japan have selected their squad with their Asian Games campaign in mind and have therefore left out players who meet ICC eligibility requirements for T20Is but are not eligible under Asian Games regulations.

That has opened the door for emerging spin-bowling all-rounder Jake Kusuda-Nairn, who earned his place after impressing in domestic cricket. Veteran Tsuyoshi Takada also returns to the squad, having first represented Japan at the ICC East Asia-Pacific Twenty20 Championship in 2013.

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The squad includes Wataru Miyauchi and Makoto Taniyama, both products of Japanese schools that have cricket Bukatsu programmes. Taniyama, a leg-spinner who developed his bowling action after watching videos of Australia great Shane Warne, wears jersey number 23 in honour of his idol and is Japan’s leading wicket-taker across pathway and international cricket.

Charlie Hara-Hinze, who was part of Japan’s Under-19 World Cup side that defeated Tanzania, has also been included, while spinner Benjamin Ito-Davis returns after a hand injury ended his participation in Japan’s East Asia-Pacific T20 World Cup 2028 Sub-Regional Qualifier campaign.

Japan finished second in that tournament and remain in contention for qualification for the 2028 T20 World Cup, level on points with Papua New Guinea but behind them on net run rate despite beating the Barramundis in their final match.

The India game will be the first event under “Sport 75”, an initiative arising from an agreement reached during a summit between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The initiative aims to strengthen people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between the two countries through sport.

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Japan will also face Hong Kong in two T20Is on September 19 and 20 before beginning their Asian Games campaign against Afghanistan on September 24 and Nepal on September 26. They will need to finish in the top two to advance to the quarter-finals.

India’s squad for the historic encounter will be led by Shreyas Iyer and includes Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Japan squad: Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (c), Charlie Hara-Hinze, Benjamin Ito-Davis, Alester Kadowaki-Fleming, Kohei Kubota, Jake Kusuda-Nairn, Wataru Miyauchi (wk), Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Alex Shirai-Patmore (wk), Shoma Sugaya-Slater, Declan Suzuki-McComb, Tsuyoshi Takada, Ibrahim Takahashi, Makoto Taniyama, Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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5 Things Triple H Got Right on WWE RAW This Week

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The latest episode of Monday Night RAW was a ticking time bomb that erupted in a spectacular fashion. The atmosphere was electric following the recent turmoil of Sunday Night’s Main Event. The anticipation was palpable leading up to the show, as there were rumors of a top star’s return. Triple H masterfully pulled the trigger, detonating one explosive moment after another.

Held at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, the show saw the progression of the feuds and storylines. Moreover, the qualifying matches for Money in the Bank also kicked off this week, with fans getting to witness some jaw-dropping action. The creative team delivered an incredible episode featuring several key moments that played a major role in advancing the ongoing storylines.

Here are five things Triple H got right on WWE RAW this week:

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#5. Sol Ruca qualifying for the ladder match

WWE held a blockbuster qualifying match for the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match this week on RAW, where Sol Ruca battled Maxxine Dupri and Lyra Valkyria. The three women tore each other apart in an incredible showdown where fans saw several hard-hitting moves and quick action. But Ruca eventually secured a massive victory by pinning Valkyria.

Triple H made the right call by letting the 26-year-old qualify for the Money in the Bank match. Sol Ruca is one of the most tactical and agile superstars on the roster, perfectly suited for a high-stakes environment like the ladder match. Besides, Ruca is also featured in the Money in the Bank 2026 poster, making her inclusion in the premium live event indispensable.

#4. The Vision destroying Oba Femi on RAW

Oba Femi suffered a barbaric attack at the hands of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed at Sunday Night’s Main Event. This week on RAW, The Ruler charged into The Vision with the furious intent to exact revenge. However, he suffered the same fate. Breakker and Reed once again annihilated Femi by unleashing a series of thunderous Spears and Tsunamis off the top rope.

The Vision made yet another defining statement and it was exactly what was needed from them. Ever since Bronson Reed returned to WWE, the faction has looked like a menacing unit. Therefore, laying out a humongous force like Oba Femi for the second consecutive time perfectly added the intimidation factor to The Vision that was lacking for quite some time.

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#3. Bron Breakker qualifying for the ladder match

Monday Night RAW witnessed another big qualifying match where Bron Breakker, Ethan Page and Rey Mysterio battled in a triple threat match. All three superstars were determined to punch their tickets to the Money in the Bank ladder match. Fans witnessed an incredible match from the starting bell to the end. But Breakker eventually outlasted everyone to secure a massive victory.

Letting the 28-year-old win was the right call, as he desperately needed this victory. Bron Breakker has been riding on red-hot momentum and there was no way Triple H could have halted that. His qualification in the Money in the Bank ladder match adds more unpredictability to the bout while putting The Vision in a prominent spotlight at the annual event.

#2. Royce Keys and OTM making a big statement

Ever since arriving on Monday Night RAW, Royce Keys and OTM have been wreaking havoc. The trio put The Bloodline on notice and waged a war against them. This week on RAW, the faction known as 946 made yet another statement. During the closing moments of the show, WWE showed backstage footage where they dismantled The Usos’ car and set it on fire.

The symbolism was pretty clear: they weren’t just attacking The Bloodline physically anymore; they were destroying them mentally. Triple H masterfully orchestrated the segment, showing an angle that instantly elevated the feud between 946 and The Bloodline. Royce Keys and OTM made a statement that they could do anything and reach anywhere.

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#1. Bayley returning for payback on RAW

The biggest highlight of WWE RAW this week was Bayley’s shocking return. There were a lot of rumors swirling on the internet for the past few weeks about her status with the company. But Triple H finally cleared the air. During the women’s Money in the Bank qualifying match, The Role Model showed up out of nowhere and cost Lyra Valkyria her big opportunity.

Bayley unleashed a brutal attack on Valkyria after the match, making it clear that she has unfinished business. The multi-time women’s champion returning to the programming this week was the best call. This is because Money in the Bank is right around the corner and WWE couldn’t have afforded to keep a veteran star like Bayley on the bench for long.