Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes India’s star players may have to adjust to unfamiliar accommodation and playing conditions during their Asian Games 2026 campaign in Japan. Unlike regular international tours, the Indian team will stay in facilities arranged by the event’s organising committee. There had been concerns among participating sporting bodies, including the BCCI, about the facilities available at the Asian Games.

However, those issues were reportedly addressed before India confirmed a strong first-choice squad for the tournament. The Indian women’s cricket team began its campaign with a quarter-final against Japan and reportedly did not encounter major problems. Athletes competing in other disciplines, however, have faced some challenges with the accommodation and facilities.

The cricket venue has also attracted attention ahead of the tournament. Japan has prepared a dedicated ground for the Asian Games, with Sri Lankan curators involved in the pitch preparation. While there were initial concerns about the hybrid grass surface, organisers have indicated that the playing conditions will be suitable for the competition.

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Mohammad Kaif suggested that India’s current generation of players, accustomed to high-end facilities during franchise and international cricket, could find the experience different. “Our new players have grown up living in 7-star hotels. They live in 5-star hotels during the IPL, so I don’t know what the facilities will be like at the Asian Games 2026. I read somewhere recently that there might be small rooms, I don’t know what it’s going to be. I also don’t know how the pitches are going to be,” Mohammad Kaif said on Cricbuzz.

He recalled India’s experience at the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York, where players had to deal with challenging pitches and uneven bounce.

“When we went to New York for the T20 World Cup 2024, the players were troubled because of the spongy pitches and uneven bounce. The Indian players are not used to these kinds of issues. They are used to good pitches, good grounds, and hotels,” he added.

India won the gold medal in men’s cricket at the 2023 Asian Games under Ruturaj Gaikwad. This time, the team has been selected with a stronger combination, with the focus on defending that title.  Former India pacer Mohit Sharma also raised expectations around the Shreyas Iyer-led side, pointing to India’s status as reigning T20 World Cup champions.

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“I don’t think the goal here is winning, I think it is dominance. You are not just going to play or participate in the Asian Games, you are going to dominate. If we don’t dominate the teams with this squad in the Asian Games then somewhere or the other there must be a mistake,” Mohit Sharma said.

India have received a direct entry into the quarter-finals and are scheduled to begin their campaign on September 28, with Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh among the teams they could encounter during the competition.