Tokyo, September 21 (Daily Kiran) : Abhishek Anand, an Indian-origin cricketer, has made headlines by being selected for Japan’s national cricket team. Reflecting on his journey, he describes it as nothing short of incredible. “I never imagined I would play for Japan’s national team,” he said.
In an interview from Tokyo, Anand recounted how his path to Japan began unexpectedly. During college, Japanese companies visited for recruitment. Although he had no plans to move abroad, he decided to attend the interviews and was eventually chosen by Accenture Japan. “I was given two hours to decide whether to accept the offer or not. I researched cricket in Japan and learned that their team had qualified for the East Asia-Pacific World Cup qualifiers, which inspired me to take the leap,” he explained.
After moving to Japan, Anand joined the Tokyo Falcons Cricket Club and played there for three years. His impressive performance caught the attention of the Japan Cricket Association (JCA), leading to his selection for the national team in 2025.
Discussing the selection process, Anand noted, “Many people ask how to get selected for the Japan team. There are three eligibility criteria: you must have lived in Japan for three consecutive years, be born in Japan, or hold a Japanese passport. I met the first criterion by living in Japan for three years. Additionally, your performance and discipline in cricket are also evaluated. Since I met both conditions, my selection was assured.”
Anand expressed his surprise at making the national team in just three years. “I was thrilled because I thought it would take at least four or five years. I shared the news with my club members, managers, and family, and they were all very excited,” he said.
He also highlighted the rapid growth of cricket in Japan. “Since I arrived, cricket has advanced significantly. Both the men’s and women’s teams have shown tremendous progress. I believe that in the coming years, Japan will be recognized as one of the prominent teams worldwide.”
Regarding the upcoming match between India and Japan, Anand shared his enthusiasm. “I’m excited about that match; although I’m not part of the team, I will support them. Being from India, I will cheer for both India and Japan.”
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