Kit trouble hits Team India before Asian Games as BCCI steps in over Japan hotel concerns: ‘Rooms did not even have space to…’

The Indian men’s cricket team has encountered some unexpected logistical hurdles just before leaving for the Asian Games in Japan, with a few players still awaiting correctly sized official kits and the BCCI stepping in to arrange separate accommodation for the squad.

According to PTI, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and JSW Inspire, the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) kit supplier, have been in discussions over issues related to the players’ jerseys.

Most of the sizing problems have already been resolved, but kits for a few members of the Shreyas Iyer-led squad were still due to be delivered ahead of the team’s scheduled departure from New Delhi early Sunday morning.

Why does Team India need two different jerseys?

An IOA source told PTI that the situation was complicated by the fact that the players require two sets of jerseys during their stay in Japan.

“There was a sizing issue in kits of cricketers, majority of them have been rectified. There are a few left and they will be delivered to the team shortly,” the source said.

The Indian team will initially wear its regular national team kit when it faces Japan in a one-off T20I on September 22.

After that fixture, the players will switch to the official Asian Games jerseys for the multi-sport event, which gets underway on September 28.

The IOA source indicated that dealing with two separate sets of playing kits contributed to the last-minute sizing complications.

BCCI arranges separate hotel for men’s team

The jersey issue is not the only logistical concern surrounding the team’s trip.

The BCCI has also arranged separate hotel accommodation for the Indian men’s cricket team in Nagoya following concerns about the facilities originally available to the players.

A source said the rooms provided by the organisers were not considered suitable for a cricket squad carrying substantial equipment and luggage.

“The rooms provided by the organisers for the men’s team did not even have space to keep the kit bags,” the source said.

With limited availability of larger hotels in the region, the BCCI reportedly managed to secure its own accommodation shortly before the squad’s departure.

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No accommodation issue for Indian women’s team

The situation is different for the Indian women’s cricket team, whose accommodation has been arranged by the IOA.

According to the source, there was never a significant issue concerning the women’s team’s stay.

The accommodation concerns involving the men’s squad have emerged amid reports that several Indian athletes travelling to Japan have experienced lengthy waits during the check-in process.

Unlike some previous editions, this year’s Asian Games do not feature a traditional dedicated athletes’ village. Participants are instead being accommodated across different facilities, including hotels, cruise ships and container-based housing.

Playing facilities also under the scanner

Beyond kits and accommodation, there are reportedly concerns surrounding the cricket facilities in Japan, particularly the condition of the playing field.

For Team India, however, the immediate priority will be ensuring that all logistical arrangements are completed before competitive action begins.

The Shreyas Iyer-led side will first take on Japan on September 22, giving the squad a chance to adjust to local conditions before switching its attention to the Asian Games, beginning September 28.