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Tokyo
Abhishek Anand, a Bihar-born Chemistry graduate from IIT Kanpur, has attracted widespread attention after taking an unconventional route from the classroom to international cricket with Japan. The 28-year-old from Rohtas district moved to Japan for work but continued pursuing cricket, eventually earning a place in the country’s national team.
Anand’s story has gained fresh attention ahead of Japan’s historic men’s T20I against India on September 22. A social-media video featuring Anand, in which he responds to a question about his Bihari roots, has gone viral, with the phrase “Bihari kahan nahi hai bhai” becoming a talking point among cricket fans.
Born in Bihar’s Rohtas district, Anand studied Chemistry at IIT Kanpur and remained closely associated with cricket during his college years. He captained the institute’s cricket team before moving to Japan for employment after completing his studies. IIT Kanpur’s alumni office has also documented his transition from Chemistry to international cricket.
After relocating to Tokyo, Anand continued playing club cricket while managing his professional career. His performances in Japan’s domestic cricket circuit eventually helped him break into the national setup. Earlier reports said he made a strong impact for Tokyo Falcons Cricket Club and recorded impressive performances in domestic competitions.
Anand made his T20I debut for Japan against the Cook Islands on May 9, 2025. He has since represented Japan in 18 T20Is, scoring 275 runs, including a highest score of 55, and taking one wicket.
However, despite the attention surrounding the India-Japan fixture, Anand is not part of Japan’s announced 15-member squad for the September 22 match. The game will nevertheless mark the first men’s international cricket meeting between India and Japan.