India-Japan historic T20I faces broadcast scramble as broadcasters race for September 22 clash

According to a report in Cricbuzz, the Japan Cricket Association (JCA) is currently in discussions with ITW Universe to secure the rights.

Producing the game will pose logistical challenges, given that it is scheduled just two days before the start of the Asian Games men's cricket campaign. However, the report said the JCA is close to signing an MoU with ITW Universe for the broadcast rights.

Earlier, the plan was to live-stream the match on YouTube. However, even if the JCA and ITW Universe finalise a deal, the option of airing the game on YouTube remains.

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In India, the match could also be shown on regular broadcast platforms, although the BCCI has yet to reach an agreement. FanCode, which has worked extensively with the JCA, is among the broadcasters in the mix, while ITW is in talks with Star, Sony and Zee.

However, the biggest challenge for ITW and the JCA is the scheduling clash with the women's cricket gold-medal match. The women's final will be held at Korogi Athletic Park in Nisshin City, Aichi, just an hour after the scheduled start of the India-Japan men's game. The latter is scheduled to begin at 9:30am IST (1pm Japan time).

With India among the favourites for the women's gold, the two matches could potentially clash in terms of viewership and broadcast attention. Sony currently holds the broadcast rights for the Asian Games.

Another option was to hold the match a day later, on September 23. However, Japan's team will be travelling that day for its first group game in the Asiad, against Afghanistan on September 24 in Aichi, around 400 kilometres from Sano.

The Shreyas Iyer-led Indian team will already have reached Sano on September 20, with the side scheduled to hold a practice session the following day before taking on Japan in the historic game.

The report also highlighted that the Indian team might stay in Sano for a few more days before travelling to Aichi for the start of its Asian Games campaign, which begins on September 28. India, the defending champions, will enter the competition directly in the quarterfinals.

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