In an unrelenting cricket calendar where monotony can set in over run-of-the-mill bilateral assignments, a multi-disciplinary event like the Asian Games holds the promise of a novel offering.

The competition provides a unique opportunity for India’s high-profile cricketers to mingle with athletes from other sports whilst attempting to win gold for the nation. Shreyas Iyer & Co. will be looking to do just that when they travel to Japan for the continental spectacle’s T20 tournament from September 24 to October 3.

This will be the Indian cricket team’s second appearance at the Asian Games, having pocketed gold in Hangzhou, China, in 2023.

Sunil Gavaskar hopes the Men in Blue savour the experience of a multi-sport carnival. “You get to know and talk to athletes from other sports, and get to know what makes them tick. It will be a wonderful experience,” he said during a virtual media interaction.

Though reports have emerged of the arrangements in Japan for the cricketers not being up to scratch, Gavaskar emphasised that such obstacles shouldn’t dissuade the game’s stakeholders from exploring newer markets.

“If cricket has to become a global sport, it has to be played in different parts of the world. At the Olympics, for example, you could play in a city where cricket isn’t generally played. You might not always get the best facilities,” the 77-year-old opined. “For the game to grow, I would encourage them to play wherever possible.”

If cricket is to pique the curiosity of spectators at the Asian Games, the boy wonder that is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will have to show up. The spunky 15-year-old, who cracked two half-centuries against Zimbabwe after a baptism by fire against England, will hope to continue his upward flight.

“Look in T20 cricket, you can’t expect consistency. Vaibhav is the kind of batter who can win you three or four out of 10 games. But he’s somebody with whom we need to have patience,” assessed Gavaskar.

(Watch cricket at Asian Games 2026 on Sony Sports and Sony LIV from September 17).

Ben Stokes’ magical knock at Headingley against Australia in 2019 defied all odds, as the England all-rounder, alongside No. 11 Jack Leach, pulled off one of the most improbable victories in Test history.

The innings was one of the major highlights of Stokes’ career.

England batter Tom Banton said Stokes — who retired from international cricket on Monday — had a huge impact on the game, and identified the Headingley epic as his favourite moment.

“His knock at Headingley, batting with my Somerset teammate Jack Leach, is something I’ll always remember. It’s something me and the Somerset boys always joke about with Jack Leach in the changing room,” Banton said in an online interaction on Tuesday.

Banton, who is part of the England squad that will take on India in the first T20I at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday, has been closely following the rapid rise of young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

“I try and watch every time Sooryavanshi plays — whether it’s in the IPL or with the India-A team. I think the most impressive thing is just how consistently he is doing it. He is obviously a special talent, and hopefully it continues for him,” Banton said.

The 27-year-old added that he hoped Sooryavanshi “gets a go” at international cricket, allowing “the world to see what he can do”.

(Watch England vs. India live – 1st T20I on July 1, 2026, from 10:00 PM IST on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD and Sony Max)