Shreyas Iyer's India Face Fresh Setback Before Asian Games 2026

Shreyas Iyer and the Indian team are in trouble before Asian Games [Source: AFP]India's men's cricket team is yet to begin its journey to Japan for the Asian Games 2026, but preparations for the Indian team have hit a fresh logistical hurdle. Shreyas Iyer’s men are scheduled to leave for Aichi-Nagoya in the early hours of Sunday, with the team facing a few last-minute issues before beginning its campaign. While the problem isn’t related to the players' fitness or match preparation, it’s associated with their kits, creating uncertainty around India's travel arrangements.India men's team face kit size issue before leaving for JapanAs per a PTI report, Shreyas Iyer’s men have encountered a kit-sizing issue ahead of their departure for the Asian Games 2026, with some players still waiting for correctly sized replacement kits.According to the report, the majority of the sizing problems have already been resolved, although a few members of the squad are yet to receive their replacement clothing. The issue has involved exchanges between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and JSW Inspire, the kit supplier associated with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).Also Read- Shreyas Iyer-Led India Forced To Accept Asian Games Medals From Mohsin NaqviAn IOA source explained that the problem arose partly because India's players will require two different sets of jerseys during their Japan trip.“There was a sizing issue in kits of cricketers; the majority of them have been rectified. There are a few left, and they will be delivered to the team shortly. With players needing two different jerseys there (one for bilateral and another for Asian Games), this can happen,” the source told PTI.Will kit size issue hamper India's travel to Japan for Asian Games 2026?Despite the last-minute kit problem, there is currently little indication that Shreyas Iyer and Co.’s departure for Japan will be significantly delayed. The majority of the sizing concerns have already been addressed, while the remaining replacement kits are expected to reach the players shortly.India's first Asian Games match is not until September 28, giving the team some room before its main tournament assignment. However, the situation is slightly different because Shreyas Iyer's side is scheduled to play Japan in a T20I on September 22.That match means the Indian squad needs to reach Japan well before September 22, making an on-time departure important even though the Asian Games 2026 competition itself begins later.With the BCCI already working on the outstanding kit requirements and the team scheduled to leave on Sunday, the most likely outcome is that the issue will be resolved without affecting India's planned travel or its match against Japan.India cricket team's record in Asian Games so farIndia’s men’s cricket team has made just one appearance at the Asian Games so far, and that came at the Hangzhou 2023 edition. Led by Ruturaj Gaikwad then, the second-string Indian side made an impressive start to its campaign, defeating Nepal by 23 runs in the quarter-final after posting 202/4. India then carried the momentum into the semi-final, comfortably beating Bangladesh by nine wickets to book a place in the gold-medal match.The final against Afghanistan, however, ended without a ball being bowled due to rain, leaving India with a no-result. With the gold medal decided through tournament seeding, India were declared champions and finished their maiden Asian Games campaign unbeaten. Their record currently stands at three matches, two victories, no defeats and one washout, with the gold medal marking their only appearance in the competition so far.Also Read- Rachin Ravindra's Replacement - Players Who Can Get Into New Zealand T20I Squad vs India