Indian cricketers participating in the upcoming Asian Games in Japan will stay in accommodation facilities arranged directly by the organizing committee rather than the 5-star luxury hotels typically provided during international tours. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice-President Rajiv Shukla officially shared details regarding the arrangements during the send-off ceremony for the Indian contingent in New Delhi. He clarified that while concerns had previously been raised over accommodation due to a scarcity of top-tier hotels in Nagoya, there are no major issues remaining, and both the board and the players are completely satisfied with the setup.
Nagoya Hotel Shortage and Inspection of Facilities
Speaking at the send-off event, Rajiv Shukla stated that the Indian contingent is utilizing the lodging facilities provided by the host organizers. He emphasized that the board has been continuously monitoring the accommodation quality to ensure players encounter no inconvenience during their stay. While acknowledging that the housing is not of 5-star hotel standard, Shukla described it as good, comfortable, and well-equipped.
The BCCI Vice-President revealed that the board specifically requested photographs and video footage of the assigned rooms and facilities prior to approval. After conducting a thorough review, the board concluded that the arrangements are comfortable. Shukla noted that the only other alternative would have been housing the players in Osaka or Tokyo, but those cities are located too far from the primary competition venue in Nagoya.
Single Rooms Confirmed and IOA Chief's Assessment
Addressing room sharing arrangements, Rajiv Shukla clarified that Indian cricketers will not be required to share double-occupancy rooms. Instead, each player will be allocated an individual single room to ensure appropriate privacy and adequate rest.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha also confirmed that accommodation matters have been fully addressed. She explained that hotels were booked in advance and noted that because a centralized Games Village setup was not feasible at the venue, booking individual hotel rooms for every single athlete presented logistical limits. To accommodate all participants, organizers have introduced alternative housing setups, including ships and small residential villas alongside local hotel bookings.
Travel Schedule and Bullet Train Logistics
Elaborating on the logistical decisions behind staying in Nagoya, Shukla pointed out that both Tokyo and Osaka lie approximately 1.5 hours away from Nagoya by bullet train. He highlighted that the spirit of the Asian Games relies on bringing participating athletes together as one unified community. Distributing teams across distant cities like Tokyo and Osaka would disrupt team cohesion, making it logical to concentrate lodging in Nagoya.
The Indian cricket squad is scheduled to depart for Tokyo on 20 September. On 22 September, the team will play a historic T20 International match against Japan for the Suzuki Cup, marking the first-ever international T20 match played on Japanese soil. Following this fixture, Team India will officially begin its Asian Games competition campaign on 28 September.
Venue Readiness and Joint Organizational Coordination
Rajiv Shukla emphasized that while lodging was an important detail, the primary focus remained on the readiness of the cricket ground, pitches, and dressing room facilities. He informed that an inspection team from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) had already visited Nagoya to evaluate the venue infrastructure.
Following ground preparations completed by the local organizing committee, the ACC team expressed full satisfaction with the pitch, outfield, and dressing room standards. Shukla confirmed that accommodation and operational arrangements are being handled jointly by the Indian Olympic Association, the Asian Games Organising Committee, and the Japan Cricket Association. Expressing high confidence in the team, he stated that India is well-prepared to deliver a strong performance at the Games.
