India Get Nagoya Training Window Before Sri Lanka Asian Games Semi-Final

India finally had a window to train in Nagoya after rain wiped out competitive time in Japan, with opener Sanju Samson saying meetings, gym work and team activities have kept the squad ready for the Asian Games semi-final against Sri Lanka on Thursday.

Rain-hit build-up before Sri Lanka semi-final

India have been in Japan for the past 10 days but have managed only one five-overs-a-side game against Japan on September 22.

Their first proper training session was scheduled later on Wednesday after incessant rains had deprived the team of crucial training and competition time.

Samson said the players had remained “switched on” despite the disruption, with the team using meetings and activities to stay prepared.

India opener Sanju Samson is preparing for the Asian Games semi-final against Sri Lanka in Nagoya, where conditions remain largely unknown for both sides.

The uncertainty is sharper because India have not yet played a proper game of cricket in Nagoya.

“Yes, conditions are a bit different,” Samson said during the pre-match press conference ahead of the semi-final against Sri Lanka.

“We have never played a game here in Nagoya. Most of us are playing here for the first time.”

Samson said the same uncertainty applies to Sri Lanka as well.

“There are a lot of unknown factors, and it goes for the other team as well.”

“So both the teams are coming here fresh, and we don't know the conditions until we go out there and play a proper game of cricket, so that's where the fun is, that's where any team can compete. We are very much excited to play a good game of cricket here,” he added.

Only one shortened game so far

India’s only T20I on Japanese soil in the build-up came against Japan, and that match was reduced to five overs each.

Shreyas Iyer's team were given a scare by Japan in that only T20I, according to the ICC report.

India advanced to the last four by virtue of their higher ranking after their quarter-final against Afghanistan was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

All four quarter-finals were washed out without a ball being bowled, as rain dominated proceedings in Japan.

A sunny day on Wednesday provided hope that there would be some action in Nagoya on Thursday.

The weather disruption means India’s preparation has depended less on match rhythm and more on maintaining focus away from the field.

Samson said the team had tried to practise every day, while also training and conditioning in the gym every day.

“We have had some good times. We have been doing some team activities. We were trying to practise every day. We were training and conditioning in the gym every day. We were spending time together, talking cricket and talking combinations,” Samson said.

The emphasis on combinations has come at a time when the side has had little outdoor cricket to test plans in match conditions.

Samson said the team used meetings to help players switch on when required, especially with a major knock-out game arriving suddenly after rain delays.

“We are having constant meetings to switch on the players when it's required.

“So, these are the times when we need to be a bit more aware that we need to switch on and suddenly play a big semi-final. Luckily, we have got a good sunny day today to practice and experience whatever we need to do tomorrow,” he added.

India chasing another title in a strong T20I run

India won gold in men's cricket at the 2022 Asian Games and will be keen to repeat that feat.

The side also enter the semi-final with recent success in the T20I format behind them.

India won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup successively in 2024 and 2026, adding to what the ICC described as their trophy spree in the format.

The Hindu described India as three-time T20 World Cup winners.

That context gives the Sri Lanka semi-final added significance because India are attempting to extend a run that includes Asian Games gold and successive ICC Men's T20 World Cup titles.

At the same time, Samson made clear that Nagoya’s conditions cannot be treated as familiar territory.

He said India would know the conditions only after getting out there and playing a proper game of cricket.

His view was that the unknown element also creates opportunity because any team can compete in such circumstances.

Samson on Kohli’s example

Samson was also asked about Virat Kohli after Kohli became just the second batter to score 15,000 ODI runs following his century against West Indies in the first ODI.

Samson hailed Kohli as an inspiration for his peers.

“(We are) very fortunate to have someone like him,” Samson said.

“I think whenever he scores runs, whenever he turns out to practice, turns out to play a game of cricket for our country, it's a great inspiration for people like us in the game, in the Indian national team.”

“Everyone playing alongside him definitely benefits from the way he puts on performances. So, I am very happy.”

For India, the immediate task remains the semi-final against Sri Lanka, with preparation shaped by rain, limited match time and the challenge of reading Nagoya conditions quickly.

Samson’s comments suggest the squad is relying on indoor preparation, conversations on combinations, conditioning work and the first available proper training session to stay ready for the knock-out match.

The semi-final will test how quickly India can translate that interrupted build-up into performance after reaching the last four through higher ranking rather than through a completed quarter-final.