Meet Abhishek Anand, Bihar-born cricketer who represents Japan

Abhishek Anand, who hails from Bihar, is now a member of the Japanese national cricket team and is set to face India in Japan's first senior men's international against the country on September 22, 2026. His journey from Bihar to representing Japan has drawn wide attention ahead of that historic fixture.

Abhishek completed his studies in Chemistry at IIT Kanpur, graduating in 2022. He subsequently moved to Japan for employment, and it was there that he found his way into competitive cricket at the international level.

He made his T20 International debut for Japan against the Cook Islands on May 9, 2025. Since then, he has gone on to become a regular presence in the Japanese side, building his tally steadily across international fixtures in the period that followed.

What has Abhishek Anand achieved in T20 Internationals for Japan?

Abhishek Anand bats right-handed and bowls right-arm medium pace. In 18 T20 Internationals for Japan, he has scored 275 runs, with a highest score of 55, which is also his only half-century at this level. These numbers place him among the more experienced players in the current Japanese setup.

Beyond his batting, he has contributed in the field as well, taking nine catches and picking up one wicket across his 18 appearances. His all-round availability — as a capable middle-order batter, a medium-pace option and a reliable fielder — has made him a consistent contributor to the Japan side since his debut in May 2025.

Japan's match against India on September 22, 2026, will be the first senior men's international between the two countries. The commotion surrounding the fixture has brought his story to a wider audience across India, particularly in Bihar, where his journey from a state not traditionally associated with producing international cricketers has resonated strongly.

Who is Abhishek Anand and how did he come to play for Japan?

Abhishek Anand is 28 years old and was born in the Rohtas district of Bihar. After graduating from IIT Kanpur with a degree in Chemistry in 2022, Abhishek moved to Japan for work. His relocation opened the door to representing Japan in cricket, a path taken by several India-born players who have settled abroad and qualified for their adopted nations. The IIT Kanpur official profile confirms both his academic background and his graduation year.

Japan's cricket programme has grown steadily in recent years, and Abhishek's inclusion in the national side reflects the country's increasing reliance on players of South Asian origin who have made Japan their home. His story ahead of the September 22 fixture against India stands as one of the more compelling personal narratives in Asian cricket this year.