Ahead of the historic India Japan bilateral T20I, BCCI President Mithun Manhas and members of Team India met Japanese Ambassador to India Ono Keiichi in Delhi on September 16, 2026.
During the meeting, Ambassador Ono presented Team India with a traditional Daruma doll, a Japanese good-luck charm. The gesture added a cultural dimension to the upcoming cricket match and reflected the growing people-to-people connection between India and Japan.
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What Is the Daruma Doll?
The Daruma is a traditional Japanese figure associated with good luck, perseverance and the pursuit of goals.
The tradition is also connected with Bodhidharma, the Indian monk known in Japan as Daruma Daishi. According to Japanese tradition, Bodhidharma is associated with the origins of Zen Buddhism in Japan and has become an important figure in the cultural history connecting India and Japan.
The presentation of the Daruma therefore carried significance beyond being a simple sporting gift.
A Symbol of India-Japan Cultural Ties
The Daruma’s connection to Bodhidharma provides a historical link between Indian and Japanese traditions.
Bodhidharma is traditionally regarded as an Indian monk who travelled to China and became associated with the development of Chan Buddhism, which later developed into Zen Buddhism in Japan. In Japan, he is known as Daruma.
The Japanese Prime Minister’s Office has also described the Daruma tradition as being based on the legacy of Bodhidharma, highlighting its connection with India.
India and Japan Make Cricket History
The meeting comes just days before India and Japan are scheduled to play their first-ever men’s T20 International against each other.
The Suzuki Cup will take place on September 22, 2026, at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The match will also launch celebrations connected with the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations.
The fixture is being positioned as part of “Sport 75,” an initiative intended to promote human exchanges and cooperation between India and Japan through sport.
BCCI and Team India Meet Japan’s Ambassador
BCCI President Mithun Manhas, along with members of the Indian team, met Ambassador Ono ahead of the historic fixture.
The BCCI described the meeting as an opportunity for “building friendships and strengthening bonds over cricket.” Ambassador Ono also extended his best wishes to the Indian team ahead of the upcoming Asian Games.
The meeting highlights how sporting events can create opportunities for cultural and people-to-people exchanges between countries.
The Suzuki Cup
The upcoming T20I will be played in Sano, Tochigi, on September 22.
According to the BCCI, the match is the first step of Sport 75 and forms part of the celebrations around the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations.
For Japan, the match also represents an opportunity to introduce cricket to a wider audience. The International Cricket Council has described it as the first international cricket meeting between the two men’s teams.
Cricket as a Bridge Between India and Japan
Cricket is already deeply established in India, while Japan has been working to expand the sport domestically.
The historic T20I provides an opportunity for the two countries to connect through sport while also bringing greater attention to cricket in Japan.
The Japan Cricket Association has described India’s visit as a landmark moment for Japanese cricket, while the BCCI has highlighted the opportunity to introduce the sport to audiences in Japan and East Asia.
Why This Matters
1. Celebrating India-Japan Relations
The T20I forms part of celebrations surrounding 75 years of India-Japan diplomatic relations.
2. Connecting Through Culture
The Daruma’s association with Bodhidharma provides a meaningful cultural connection between India and Japan.
3. Expanding Cricket’s Reach
The historic match introduces a major Indian cricketing team to Japan and supports efforts to expand the sport’s audience in the country.
4. Strengthening People-to-People Ties
The meeting between the Japanese Ambassador, BCCI leadership and Team India demonstrates how sport can create new avenues for people-to-people interaction between the two countries.
Final Word
The presentation of a Daruma doll to Team India ahead of the historic India-Japan T20I adds a meaningful cultural dimension to an already significant sporting occasion.
With its traditional association with perseverance, good fortune and Bodhidharma, the Daruma reflects a historical connection between Indian and Japanese traditions. The upcoming Suzuki Cup on September 22, 2026, will take this connection onto the cricket field as India and Japan meet in their first-ever men’s T20I.
As India and Japan celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, cricket is providing another platform for friendship, cultural exchange and people-to-people connections.
