The match is scheduled for September 22 in Sano City, Tochigi, and will be a significant sporting event amid the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThis is an important event in the bilateral calendar between India and Japan. The cricket match on the 22nd will be the inaugural event for the 75-year celebration of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. That\u2019s what we\u2019re celebrating. It\u2019s the first event, and our two prime ministers agreed to that a couple of months ago,\u201d Mallick told IANS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The fixture will be played in Sano rather than at the newly developed cricket venue in Nagoya, which is being used for the Asian Games. Mallick explained that the Nagoya pitch will remain occupied by teams competing in the continental tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSo we will hold this in Sano City, not here because they developed a cricket pitch here just for the Asian Games. And that pitch will be busy with the teams playing for the Asian Games. So there\u2019s another older pitch in Sano City,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
While the fixture is being viewed as a friendly match, Mallick said its significance extends beyond the cricket field, with the contest forming part of the broader celebrations of India-Japan ties.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThat\u2019s where we\u2019ll be doing it on the 22nd. It\u2019s a great feeling. It\u2019s an important event for the bilateral relationship,\u201d she added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The ambassador also highlighted the enthusiasm surrounding the fixture, noting that tickets were sold out and that supporters from India and around the world were expected to attend.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAnd also I hope, I mean, as far as I know, tickets are sold out. So people have come even from back home and other places abroad to watch that match,\u201d Mallick said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The ambassador also highlighted the enthusiasm surrounding the fixture, noting that tickets were sold out and that supporters from India and around the world were expected to attend.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The India-Japan cricket match is thus set to combine sporting exchange with a landmark milestone in the two countries\u2019 diplomatic relationship.<\/p>\r\n\r\n