Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi get an entry into India playing XI vs Japan? [Source: AFP]India will kickstart their tour of Japan with a one-off T20I against the host nation. Led by Shreyas Iyer, the Indian team has travelled to Japan for the Asian Games 2026. Before that, they will participate in a historic one-off encounter against the home side to celebrate 75 years of their diplomatic relationship. The Indian team recently enjoyed stellar success against Afghanistan, registering a clinical 3-0 whitewash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. After suffering crushing defeats in Ireland and England, the Shreyas Iyer-led outfit has shown remarkable form of late, winning their last six T20Is against Zimbabwe and Afghanistan convincingly. As the tourists get ready for the Japan clash leading up to the Asian Games, here's the India predicted playing XI vs Japan for the one-off match at the Sano International Cricket Ground. Top Order and Openers: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan KishanSanju Samson was preferred over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi throughout the India vs Afghanistan T20Is. While head coach Gautam Gambhir openly revealed that Sooryavanshi would get his opportunity in due course, Samson grabbed his chance with both hands, finishing the series with 117 runs in three outings at an average of 39 and a blistering strike rate of 180. On the other hand, Abhishek Sharma would be keen to extend his dream run after hammering the fastest century against an ICC full-member nation. The swashbuckling southpaw has smashed 743 runs at a strike rate of 205.24 and will be an integral part of the India predicted playing XI vs Japan. Also Read: India's Record In 1st T20I Match In Every Country Ahead Of Historic Japan Game, 2026Ishan Kishan is India's most successful T20I batter in 2026 with 902 runs. The left-hander will bat at number three and form a fearsome top-order alongside Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. Middle order and allrounders: Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington SundarIndian captain Shreyas Iyer is the backbone of their middle order. Since taking over the captaincy from Suryakumar Yadav, Iyer has slammed 359 runs, including two fifties, at an average of 35.9. Tilak Varma is a reliable middle-order batter, having slammed 964 runs at an average of 45.90 at batting positions 5, 6 and 7. He has three fifty-plus scores under his belt in T20Is this year and could be a headache for the Japanese bowling attack if he gets a chance to bat in this match. With Hardik Pandya still recovering from an injury and Nitish Reddy being withdrawn from India's T20I squad to represent the ODI team, Shivam Dube retains his spot in the India predicted playing XI vs Japan. Dube has hammered 502 runs at a strike rate of 170.74 while also scalping 15 wickets in T20Is in 2026. Axar Patel was India's most successful spinner in the recently concluded Afghanistan series with four wickets at an average of 16. The left-arm spinner is an integral member of the India predicted playing XI vs Japan and will be crucial in the middle overs. Washington Sundar has made his comeback to the Indian setup after missing several matches due to a hamstring injury he sustained in England. Sundar's all-round attributes make him a vital cog in the India predicted playing XI vs Japan. The left-hander has amassed 279 runs and bagged 51 wickets in 62 T20Is. Bowlers: Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Yash ThakurAs Varun Chakaravarthy has been ruled out of the Asian Games and Japan match due to a side strain, Ravi Bishnoi maintains his place as the frontline spinner in the India predicted playing XI vs Japan. In 50 innings, Bishnoi has 71 wickets under his belt in the shortest format. Arshdeep Singh's ability to swing the new ball up front and bring the left-arm angle makes him a potent bowling option in the India predicted playing XI vs Japan. Arshdeep is the most successful Indian bowler in T20Is with 140 wickets at a strike rate of 13.93. Jasprit Bumrah has been prone to injuries of late. He recently made a comeback to the Indian team after recovering from a knee injury and played all three T20Is against Afghanistan. With the Asian Games coming up, the Men in Blue might rest the ace speedster in the one-off encounter and bring Yash Thakur into the team. India predicted playing XI vs Japan- One-Off T20I, 2026Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Yash ThakurAlso Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Warned, Given Brutal Reality Check After India Snub
