Gavaskar on Cricket’s Asian Games Journey: Play Anywhere, Grow Everywhere

When the Asian Games roll into a city, it’s not just a sprint for medals – it’s a cultural mash‑up, a chance for athletes from wildly different worlds to rub shoulders. That’s why the upcoming T20 cricket tournament in Japan feels like a breath of fresh air for the sport.

India’s men’s side, led by Shreyas Iyer, will touch down in Japan between September 24 and October 3, aiming for gold and a few memorable selfies with judo players and swimmers. It’s only their second stint at the Asian Games, after clinching gold in Hangzhou last year.

Speaking in a relaxed, virtual press chat, 77‑year‑old cricket great Sunil Gavaskar reminded everyone that the real value of such multi‑sport events goes beyond the scoreboard. “You get to meet athletes from other disciplines, see what makes them tick, and that in itself is priceless,” he said, chuckling about the occasional language barrier.

There have been whispers – and a few disgruntled tweets – about sub‑par accommodation and practice facilities for the cricketers in Japan. Gavaskar, however, brushed those concerns off with the calm of someone who’s seen it all. “If we want cricket to become a truly global sport, we have to be willing to play wherever we’re invited,” he warned. “Sometimes the venue won’t have world‑class pitches, but the experience matters more than the perfect‑grass turf.”

He made it clear that occasional hiccups shouldn’t halt the game’s expansion. “Think of the Olympics,” he added. “They host sports in cities where the infrastructure isn’t built for that sport yet. Cricket must follow that model if it wants to capture new fans.”

For India, the pressure is also on young talent like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose flair could win over crowds unfamiliar with cricket’s nuances. If the Japanese audience gets a taste of that sparkle, perhaps the sport will find a foothold beyond its traditional strongholds.

In short, Gavaskar’s message is simple: cricket should travel, stumble, learn and grow. Whether the field is immaculate or not, the game’s heart beats wherever it’s played.