Vinay Iyer, 41, has taken charge of Japan’s women’s cricket team as head coach, stepping into a role that carries significant weight as the squad prepares to face India in the Asian Games tournament. The women’s cricket event runs from September 17 to 22, 2026, at Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Iyer’s appointment represents a major milestone in his cricket journey, one that has taken him from Mumbai’s domestic leagues to international coaching responsibilities.
Iyer spoke candidly about the emotional weight of preparing his team for such a high-profile encounter. The coach revealed the internal pressure he is managing as Japan prepares for the match against a powerhouse Indian side led by Harmanpreet Kaur.
“I get goosebumps even now when I think about the match. I am trying not to show my nervousness to the players,” Iyer said, as quoted by Facebook. The admission underscores the magnitude of facing India in a tournament setting where every match carries enormous significance for both team,” Iyer was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
Iyer’s path to coaching Japan’s national women’s team reflects an unconventional career trajectory shaped by circumstance and opportunity. He played for Sundar Cricket Club in Mumbai’s Kanga League and led his college side to an inter-collegiate championship. His childhood coaching came from Ashok Mankad, a former India cricketer. However, his cricket career took an unexpected turn when he joined Rosy Blue, a diamond trading company that fielded a team in the Times Shield. The company first sent him to Japan for three months in 2009, and after surviving the 2011 Tokyo earthquake, he was offered a permanent role in 2013.
Once settled in Japan, Iyer joined Tokyo club Max CC, though he had to travel two hours to Sano for matches. His performances in the league were notable. In 2015, he topped the league’s run charts and earned Player of the Year honours. When the Japan Cricket Association changed its eligibility rules to bar foreigners from playing, Iyer formed his own team, Kawasaki Knight Riders, to continue competing. His playing career progressed further when international eligibility rules changed, allowing him to make his debut for Japan in 2021, though a shoulder injury ended his playing days shortly after.
Iyer’s transition from player to coach began with domestic success. He took teams to the final of the Japan Futures League every year, winning the tournament in 2023 and 2024. He joined the National Academy in late 2023 and worked with the squad throughout 2024. His coaching experience expanded when he served as Assistant Coach to the Men’s Under-19 team at the 2023 Asia Cup and worked with the Women’s Team during recent home series against Singapore and the East Asia Cup in Korea. These roles prepared him for the responsibility of leading Japan’s women’s team at the Asian Games.
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Japan will lock horns with defending gold medalist India at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Friday, September 18. This is going to be the fourth quarter-final, with Bangladesh and Pakistan being the two teams that have already advanced to the semis.
