BCCI Assures World-Class Logistics for India’s Asian Games Cricket Campaign
MUMBAI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has moved to address growing speculation regarding the logistical and accommodation arrangements for the Indian cricket teams heading to the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia emphasized that there are currently no roadblocks in the planning phase, but he firmly reiterated the board’s commitment to stepping in independently should the tournament organizers fall short of expectations.
Addressing Logistical Concerns
Questions regarding the quality of facilities in Japan emerged recently as the Aichi-Nagoya organizing committee revealed a non-traditional approach to athlete housing. With a record-breaking entry of over 17,000 athletes, participants are expected to be dispersed across various hotels, temporary housing, and even a cruise ship, rather than a centralized athletes’ village.
While the Japan Cricket Association (JCA) has assured that participating teams will be provided with hotel accommodations, there remains anxiety surrounding the quality and proximity of these facilities. Speaking after a review meeting at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, Saikia made it clear that the board would not compromise on player welfare.
“There is no such issue that is currently on our agenda. We do not foresee any difficulties in Japan,” Saikia told reporters. “However, if any situation arises, we will take an appropriate call at the right time to ensure our players and support staff receive the best possible facilities. If required, the BCCI will implement its own system to ensure our athletes are fully supported.”
Leadership and Coaching Staff
India enters the tournament with high stakes as the defending gold medalists in both the men’s and women’s T20 events. The men’s side will be captained by Shreyas Iyer, while Harmanpreet Kaur will continue to lead the women’s team.
The BCCI has strategically curated its coaching staff to ensure both sides are prepared for the unique conditions in Japan. VVS Laxman, the director of cricket at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, will reprise his role as the men’s head coach—a position he held during India’s successful 2023 Asian Games campaign. He will be supported by a seasoned team comprising Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, and Subhadeep Ghosh. Meanwhile, Amol Muzumdar will lead the women’s coaching setup, assisted by Aavishkar Salvi and Munish Bali.
A Quest to Retain Gold
The Indian men’s team is scheduled to kick off their campaign on September 24. The women’s squad, meanwhile, is slated to enter the competition at the quarterfinal stage, with a showdown against Japan already on the horizon.
With both squads featuring a blend of established international stars and promising young talent, the BCCI is shifting its focus to seamless execution. By prioritizing logistical excellence, the board aims to remove all external distractions, allowing the players to focus solely on their bid to retain their Asian Games titles.
Indian Squads for Asian Games 2026
Men’s Team: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Women’s Team: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Gunalan Kamalini, Bharti Fulmali, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, Nandani Sharma.
