From Bihar to Japan : The IITian Who Refused to Give up Cricket
You leave Bihar to crack IIT . You crack IIT to get a top job . You get that job in Japan . Then you start from zero to play cricket again . This story of Abhishek Anand . He is 28 from Rohtas district in Bihar , brought up in Patna . He studied Chemistry at IIT Kanpur and captained the college cricket team there . Today he plays international cricket for Japan . And right now his story is everywhere because India is going to play Japan for Men's cricket history .
The 2- hours decision
In final year IIT Kanpur, placements were going on . A company from Japan Accenture Japan , came for hiring. Abhishek sat for the interview just for experience . He never thought of going abroad . He cleared it . Then the HR told him you have 2 hours to accept the offer . He was stuck . He wanted to stay in India and continue cricket . In those 2 hours he did one thing he searched about cricket in Japan .That year Japan had qualified for the East Asia Pacific World cup Qualifier . It was a small news but for him it was hope . It meant cricket exists there . He said yes and moved to Tokyo .
Office in the day , cricket in the evening
Tokyo was not easy . New country full time job no known cricket circle . But He started emailing local clubs . He joined Tokyo Falcon Cricket Club . For three consecutive years, he kept playing after office hours and scored consistently. Japan Cricket Association noticed his form . In May 9 2025 , He made his T20I debut for Japan against Cook Islands . Since then he has played 18 T20Is scored 275 runs with a fifty and his best is 55 . His family always told him job first cricket second . For him it was always the opposite But somehow he balanced both .
Why he is viral now
India and Japan will play on September 22 at Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi . This match is called the Suzuki Cup, a historic, first-ever men's Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket fixture organized by the BCCI and the Japan Cricket Association at the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. Abhishek is not in Japan 15- member squad for this historic game. But a video of him went viral where he was asked how does it feel being a Bihari and playing for Japan ? His simple desi reply made people smile and everyone started sharing one line - Bihari Kahan nahi hai bhai . He said he will be at the ground supporting both teams .For him it is a win for cricket itself .
The ending that matters
Abhishek may not play against India but his journey will be there in the stadium . He proves you can have an IIT degree a job in Tokyo and still live your cricket dream .