India's Record In 1st T20I Match In Every Country Ahead Of Historic Japan Game, 2026

India's record in 1st T20I in each country detailed [Source: AFP]

On September 22, India will play a one-off T20I match against Japan to celebrate 75 years of outstanding diplomatic ties with the Asian nation. The historic clash marks India's first-ever T20I as well as an international match on Japanese soil. 

Led by Shreyas Iyer, the Indian team has landed in Tokyo to participate in the Asian Games 2026. Before the multi-nation event, the Men in Blue are set to face the home team in a one-off T20 match at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Japan. 

Japan is the thirteenth country where India will play a T20I in their illustrious history. As they gear up for their first-ever game on Japanese soil, here's a detailed account of India's first T20I in every country apart from their homeland. 

India's record in 1st T20I match in every country before Japan clash

(India's first T20I match in every country at a glance)

As the data shows, India registered convincing victories in their first T20I matches in Bangladesh, China, England, Ireland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. 

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Meanwhile, the Men in Blue suffered defeats in their maiden T20I outings in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and the United Arab Emirates. 

The 10-wicket loss to Pakistan in the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE remains India's most embarrassing defeat in the first T20I match in a country. On the other hand, a 76-run victory over Ireland is their most clinical win in the first T20I in a nation. 

While chasing, India's seven-wicket wins over Pakistan and Afghanistan in Bangladesh and the West Indies, remain their most comprehensive triumphs. The six-wicket win at the Wanderers is not only India's first-ever win in South Africa but also their maiden victory in T20I cricket. 

244/4 is India's highest team score in their first T20I in a country. They posted the score against West Indies at Lauderhill, Florida, in 2016. However, despite KL Rahul's magnificent century, the Indian team fell short of the target by 1 run, registering a narrow defeat.  

India's overall record in 1st T20I match in every country: What do the numbers tell?

Overall, India have won eight and lost four of their first T20I matches across countries. Their win percentage of 66.67 suggests that India have mostly dominated the proceedings as far as maiden T20I outings in an away country are concerned. 

In first T20I matches against the home team, India have won four of six encounters, recording a win percentage of 66.67. They have only lost to New Zealand and Australia while defeating Sri Lanka, Ireland, South Africa and Zimbabwe. 

Chasing the target has been key to India's success in 1st T20I match in away soil

India have batted first six times in their first T20I match across countries. They have a win percentage of 50 while defending the target. On the contrary, India's success rate increases significantly while chasing the target. 

In matches where they have bowled first, the Indians have emerged victorious on five of six occasions, registering a phenomenal win percentage of 83.34. Therefore, despite starting as the favourites, the Shreyas Iyer-led team might still opt to bowl first in the one-off T20I against Japan. 

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