Suzuki to be title partner of Japan-India cricket match marking 75 years of diplomatic ties
Suzuki Motor Corporation will serve as title partner of the Suzuki Cup, an international men's cricket match between Japan and India in Tochigi, Japan, on 22 September 2026.
- 75th
- 45th
- 1982
- No. 1
What Happened
Suzuki Motor Corporation will serve as the title partner of the "Suzuki Cup: 75th Anniversary of Japan-India Diplomatic Relations Commemorative Match", an international men's cricket match between the Japan and India Men's National Cricket Teams. The match will be held at Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi, Japan, on 22 September 2026. It will mark both India's first international match in Japan and the first time the men's national teams of India and Japan face each other. The fixture is being held ahead of the anniversary year as part of "SPORT-75", an initiative that promotes human exchanges and cooperation between India and Japan in the field of sport.
The match follows a July 2026 summit meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At that meeting the two leaders agreed to commemorate 2027, the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and India, as the "India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons", and to cooperate in planning and organizing a range of commemorative events. The cricket match is one of those commemorative activities, staged under the SPORT-75 framework.
No. 1ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings
Based on ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings published by the ICC as of 15 September 2026.
Suzuki enters a joint venture agreement with the Government of India and Maruti Udyog Limited, now Maruti Suzuki India Limited.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agree to mark 2027 as the "India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons" and to cooperate on commemorative events.
The ICC publishes its Men's T20I Team Rankings, with India ranked No. 1.
The Suzuki Cup match between Japan and India is played at Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi, Japan.
The 75th anniversary of Japan-India diplomatic relations, which is also the 45th anniversary of Suzuki's operations in India.
- Title: Suzuki Cup: 75th Anniversary of Japan-India Diplomatic Relations Commemorative Match
- Organizer: Japan Cricket Association
- Supporters: Embassy of India in Japan and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- Location: Sano International Cricket Ground, 300-1 Tochimoto-cho, Sano City, Tochigi, Japan
- Match: Men's cricket, Japan vs. India
- Schedule: 22 September (Tuesday), pre-event 11:30am-12:30pm, match 1pm-4pm
“I am pleased that Suzuki is serving as the Title Partner of this international match commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and India. Suzuki entered into a joint venture agreement with the Government of India and Maruti Udyog Limited (now Maruti Suzuki India Limited) in 1982. The year 2027, designated as the "India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons," will also mark the 45th anniversary of Suzuki's operations in India, making it a particularly significant year for Suzuki. Suzuki has worked to strengthen relations between Japan and India through its business activities and will continue to contribute to the development of friendly relations between Japan and India.”
Previously from Suzuki Motor Corporation
Suzuki has also been active on the India side of its business in earlier coverage. The company said it will create new divisions, rename inspection units and reassign senior managers across quality, motorcycle, technology strategy and manufacturing functions on 1 October 2026, a personnel change that covers its India operations. Suzuki Motorcycle India separately reported that its domestic two-wheeler volume rose 13% year on year in August, with total sales including exports up 6%.
- Suzuki to reshuffle quality, manufacturing and India operations in October organization and personnel change
- Suzuki India’s Two-Wheeler Business Gains Domestic Momentum Before Festive Season
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of Suzuki Motor Corporation's official releases.
Why this matters
Suzuki is putting its name on a match that is India's first international fixture in Japan and the first meeting between the two men's national teams, tying its brand to the 75th anniversary of Japan-India diplomatic relations. The sponsorship also lands in a market where Suzuki has operated since 1982, and 2027 will mark 45 years of its Indian operations, which the company calls particularly significant.
Terms in This Story
- Title Partner
- The main sponsor whose name is attached to an event's official title.
- T20I
- Twenty20 International, a shortened format of international cricket in which each team bats for a maximum of 20 overs.
- ICC
- The International Cricket Council, cricket's global governing body, which publishes international team rankings.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.