India’s one-off T20I against Japan could be impacted by weather in Sano, with the heavy rain due to Typhoon Dujuan disrupting preparations and leaving the condition of the ground under scrutiny before real action starts on the field.

The match is scheduled to begin at 9:30 am IST on Tuesday, September 22 at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture. The storm is expected to move away before the match, but the rain, wet outfield and the possibility of further downpour have created uncertainty around the historic game.

Indian players didn’t train on Monday after their scheduled net session was called off due to adverse weather conditions. The disruption is significant, considering the players have had little time to get used to the conditions at a stadium where they have never competed in an international game.

Captain Shreyas Iyer admitted that his team has limited information about the venue and the wicket, making the loss of the practice session a big setback.

The concern is not only based on Tuesday’s weather forecast. The second T20I between Japan and Hong Kong on September 20 at the Sano International Cricket Ground was abandoned without a ball being bowled because of the conditions.

It could hamper the ground’s recovery before India’s match against the host nation. Even if there is no rain, the condition of the outfield could still delay the toss or the start of the proceedings.

The weather forecast for Tuesday is much better compared to Monday, but the threat of showers is still there. The possibility of precipitation is higher during the afternoon.

Typhoon Dujuan brought strong winds and heavy downpour on Monday, with the weather department issuing warnings for flooding and other problems.

Sano is under the threat of heavy rainfall, but conditions are set to improve on Tuesday.

For India, no net session adds another layer of challenge as the two nations haven’t met before in the men’s category. The fixture is not part of the Asian Games 2026, with the Men in Blue set to start their campaign from the quarter-finals on September 28.

The Indian team will wear its regular jersey against Japan before donning the official Asian Games kit for other cricket matches. The organizers are hopeful of a match on Tuesday, and the better forecast conditions offer hope for action.