For Abhishek Anand, cricket began in Bihar and became a serious pursuit only after he entered the IT sector. Today, the 28-year-old, who hails from Rohtas district in Bihar, is part of Japan’s national cricket setup. His journey has taken him from IIT Kanpur classrooms to the Tokyo Falcons Cricket Club and eventually to international cricket. Anand moved to Japan for work after receiving a job offer through campus placement. He joined a local cricket club after arriving in the country and continued playing alongside his professional career. Three years later, he earned a place in the Japan national team. His story has gained attention ahead of India’s historic T20I clash against Japan (Suzuki Cup).His journey has also caught attention on social media. In a viral video posted by user @japan_wala_bihari, Anand is asked, “Japan cricket team mein bhi Bihari? Anand responds by saying, “Arey underestimate kar rahe hain, Bihari kahan nahi hain bhai?” (Are you underestimating us? Where are Biharis not present? He is then asked, “How did you get there?” Anand replied, “Ghar toh Rohtas zila hai, Bihari hain toh bachpan se cricket khelne ka keeda tha.” (My home district is Rohtas. I am a Bihari, so I have had a passion for playing cricket since childhood.)
From soft-ball cricket in Bihar to IIT Kanpur
Anand said his cricket journey began during childhood in Bihar, where he played soft-ball cricket. “My journey started with soft-ball cricket in Bihar during my childhood. At the same time, my parents wanted me to pursue a career in a professional field, so I studied IT,” Anand told ANI. After entering the IT sector, Anand started playing with a leather ball and began taking cricket more seriously. The turning point came during his final year at IIT Kanpur, when a Japanese company visited the campus for placements.
He had just two hours to decide whether to move to Japan
Image Courtesy: Instagram/@abhishekanand6527
Anand said he had not initially planned to move abroad. He simply appeared for the company’s interview and was selected. “I never thought that I would play for the Japanese team. There was a placement drive going on at my college and a Japanese company had come to our campus,” he told IANS. Anand decided to sit for the interview as a trial and was eventually selected. He was then given only two hours to decide whether he wanted to accept the offer.“I gave the interview just to try. I got selected and I was given two hours to think about whether I wanted to accept the offer or not,” he said. “I thought about it a lot because I did not want to go abroad.” Before making the decision, however, he began researching cricket in Japan. That changed his view of the opportunity.“I started searching about cricket in Japan. That year, the Japan team had qualified for the East Asia Pacific World Cup Qualifier. I then felt that there was also hope for cricket in Japan,” he said. He eventually accepted the Japanese company’s offer and moved to the country.
Joining Tokyo Falcons changed his cricket journey
After arriving in Japan, Anand began exploring the local cricket scene. He eventually joined the Tokyo Falcons Cricket Club. “I accepted the offer from the Japanese company and then came to Japan. After coming here, I started exploring the cricket clubs in Japan,” he said. “I joined the Tokyo Falcons Cricket Club. This is where my journey in Japanese cricket started,” Anand added.He continued playing for the club for three years. During this period, the Japan Cricket Association also noticed his performances. His performances eventually earned him a call-up to the national side.
What does it take to play for Japan?
He pointed out that many people from Bihar and neighbouring Jharkhand work in Japan’s technology sector, much like him.
Anand currently works for Accenture in Japan while pursuing cricket alongside his professional career. According to him, he has played 18 T20 internationals for Japan since his debut. He has scored 275 runs, with a highest score of 55, and has one half-century. He can also contribute with medium-pace bowling when required and has taken one international wicket. Anand explained that there are three key criteria for selection for Japan’s national team. According to him, a player needs to have lived continuously in Japan for three years, be Japan-born and hold a Japanese passport. Performance and discipline are also considered. “First, you have to live continuously in Japan for three years. Second, you should be Japan-born and third, you should be a Japanese passport holder,” Anand said. “Along with that, your performance and discipline are also looked at. I fulfilled all these criteria and was selected for the national team,” he added.
“I never imagined I’d get the chance to play against India so soon”
Anand said representing Japan has allowed him to pursue the sport he has loved since childhood. The possibility of playing against India had been something he hoped for, but he did not expect it to happen so quickly. “I often reflect on the fact that I’m following my passion, and I hope that one day I’ll get the chance to play against India. I never imagined I’d get the chance to play against India so soon,” Anand told ANI.Japan is facing India in a one-off T20I at the Sano International Cricket Ground on Tuesday. The match is being organised as part of celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. The Suzuki Cup clash is also being held as both teams prepare for the men’s cricket tournament at the 2026 Asian Games. However, Anand will not be part of Japan’s squad for this particular fixture.
“We have plenty of people here from Bihar and Jharkhand”
Even though he will not be on the field against India, Anand said the Indian players will find familiar faces and flavours in Japan. He pointed out that many people from Bihar and neighbouring Jharkhand work in Japan’s technology sector, much like him. “We have plenty of people here from Bihar and Jharkhand, so Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ishan Kishan will not feel homesick at all,” Anand told Mid-day. He also mentioned a familiar taste from home: Litti Chokha. “In fact, even local Bihari food like Litti Chokha. We have our own community association here and are ready to make some homemade Litti Chokha for our boys,” he said.
