The Indian men’s cricket team will stay in separate accommodation during the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, while the women’s team will be housed in the official Games Village.
The decision by the BCCI is primarily linked to the size of the men’s contingent, particularly the number of support staff travelling with the team.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has explained why the men’s team has been given separate accommodation and also stressed that India considers the Asian Games a major assignment.
Why is Indian men’s cricket team staying separately?
The Indian women’s cricket team is staying at the official accommodation provided by the Asian Games organising committee.
The men’s team, however, has a much larger overall contingent because of the number of coaches, trainers, physiotherapists, analysts and other support staff travelling with the squad.
According to Saikia, the total number exceeds the accommodation limit set by the organisers for an individual delegation.
Speaking to The Times of India, Saikia explained that the BCCI decided to make its own arrangements rather than split the men’s team during the tournament. ‘BCCI has arranged its own arrangement for the men’s team since the contingent is much bigger than the permissible number of members because of the size of the support staff. We don’t want to segregate the men’s team during the tournament.’
Why is the women’s team staying in the Asian Games Village?
The Indian women’s cricket contingent falls within the accommodation limit set by the Asian Games organisers. Saikia said the women’s team has therefore been able to use the official facilities provided at the Games Village.
‘The women’s team is staying in the facilities provided by the organising committee since the size of the contingent is within the permissible number of 20 members.’
The difference in accommodation, therefore, is based on the size of the respective contingents rather than the importance given to either team.
BCCI confident about Asian Games facilities
There have reportedly been concerns raised by some Asian cricket boards over the quality of facilities at the match venue in Japan.
Saikia, however, said the BCCI has confidence in the Asian Games organising committee and expects the necessary arrangements to be in place.
‘We fully trust the organising committee to give the best facilities. This is a big event and I am sure they will do what is required.’
Saikia also said he would travel to Japan on October 1 and would be able to provide a clearer assessment of the situation after reaching the venue.
Why did India send a full-strength team to Asian Games 2026?
Another major talking point has been India’s decision to send a full-strength men’s cricket team to the Asian Games, especially with preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup already underway.
India’s home ODI series against the West Indies overlaps with the Asian Games period, making the selection of the squad particularly significant.
The approach is also different from the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, when India sent a second-string cricket team because the senior players were preparing for the ODI World Cup. This time, the BCCI has placed greater importance on winning gold in the Asian Games.
BCCI says Asian Games gold is a major target
Saikia made it clear that India does not view the Asian Games as a secondary assignment. ‘We are eyeing a gold medal which is very important.’ He also pointed out India’s depth in cricket, saying the country has enough quality players to field multiple strong teams at the same time.
‘We all know India can field three strong teams at a time. We see Asian Games as a very important assignment which can’t be given secondary treatment.’
As a result, India’s full-strength squad, including Jasprit Bumrah and regular captain Shreyas Iyer, is set to participate in the tournament.
Saikia added that an Asian Games gold medal carries the same importance for India as a title at any other major tournament.
‘That’s why our full-strength team including Bumrah and regular captain Iyer is going. An Asian Games gold is as important as any other big tournament.’
India’s Asian Games 2026 cricket campaign
India’s decision to send its strongest available squad underlines the team’s ambition to compete for the gold medal in Aichi-Nagoya.
While the men’s team will have separate accommodation because of the size of its overall contingent, the women’s side will remain in the official Asian Games facilities.
The BCCI has maintained that the accommodation arrangements are logistical in nature and do not reflect any difference in the importance attached to the two teams.