India's Asian Games cricket ties pushed 30 minutes earlier as Nagoya venue lacks lights

India's knockout ties shifted to earlier slots

The start time of several men's cricket knockout matches at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 has been advanced by 30 minutes under a revised schedule. The afternoon men's matches will now begin at 1.30 pm local time instead of the originally announced 2 pm, while the timing of the women's games remains untouched.

India's men's side, which has been handed a direct entry into the quarter-finals, will play its first match of the tournament at the earlier slot. With Japan three hours and 30 minutes ahead of India, that 1.30 pm JST start translates to 10 am IST.

Shreyas Iyer, who will lead India's men's cricket team at the 2026 Asian Games

Which matches are affected

The revised timings apply specifically to the second quarter-final on September 28, which India will play, the second semi-final on October 1, in which India are likely to feature, and the gold-medal match on October 3. All three will start at 1.30 pm Japan Time.

There is no change to the morning games, which continue to begin at 9 am local time (5.30 am IST) — covering the first quarter-final involving Pakistan, the first semi-final and the bronze-medal play-off. The preliminary-round fixtures involving Afghanistan, Japan, Nepal, Hong Kong (China), Malaysia and Oman also keep their original slots, as do the women's games, which begin directly from the quarter-final stage at 9 am and 2 pm local time.

Early darkness prompts switch

Sources say the adjustment was necessitated because it gets dark early in Japan. With no floodlights at the venue, organisers deemed it prudent to start the matches earlier, particularly as men's games are likely to last longer.

Notably, the change has still not been communicated to all stakeholders. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officials say they are unaware of the revision, even though the updated timings have been published on the official Games website.

Separate T20I against Japan

Away from the Games schedule, India's T20I against Japan on September 22 at the Sano International Stadium will begin at 1 pm JST (9.30 am IST). The Asian Games run from September 19 to October 4.