For many students, graduating from IIT Kanpur and building a career in technology would be a major achievement in itself. For Abhishek Anand, however, it was only one part of the journey. Alongside his academic and professional life, he continued to pursue the sport he had loved since childhood. That passion eventually took him from IIT Kanpur to Japan’s national cricket team. Anand, who completed a BS-MS in Chemistry at IIT Kanpur in 2022, is now a member of the Japan men’s national cricket team. The Japan Cricket Association lists him as an Indian-born player, right-handed batter and right-arm medium bowler. He made his international debut against the Cook Islands on May 9, 2025, earning Japan cap number 111.
From tennis ball cricket to IIT Kanpur
Anand’s cricket journey did not begin with the kind of professional training that many aspiring cricketers receive. Before entering IIT Kanpur, he mainly played tennis-ball cricket. His time at the institute introduced him to leather-ball cricket and more competitive surroundings. In an interview published by IIT Kanpur’s Office of Resources and Alumni, Anand recalled that cricket had always been close to his heart. He said he had to perform well academically if he wanted his parents to support his sporting ambitions. At IIT Kanpur, he began playing alongside stronger players and gradually realised that cricket could become more than a hobby. He also captained the IIT Kanpur cricket team and learned to balance matches, training, laboratories and examinations. “Cricket gave me energy and purpose. Studies gave me structure and stability,” Anand said in the IIT Kanpur interview. He added that he tried to maintain a balance rather than trying to be perfect at everything.
One job interview changed his path
Anand’s journey to Japan began through a career opportunity rather than cricket. During campus placements, he received an offer from Accenture Japan. Before making his decision, he searched online to see whether Japan had a cricket scene. He came across information about Japan’s participation in T20 World Cup qualifiers. That discovery helped convince him to take the opportunity and move to Japan. “I want to promote cricket in Japan,” Anand had said during his placement interview, according to Hindustan Times. What may have sounded unusual at the time eventually became a reality. After moving to Japan, Anand connected with the Japan Cricket Association and began playing local cricket. He also played for Tokyo Falcons Cricket Club and gradually moved through the Japanese cricket system. His performances in domestic competitions helped him earn recognition. Hindustan Times reported that in 2024 he scored 564 runs in 11 Japan Cricket League matches and 220 runs in four Embassy Cup matches. He was also named the Most Valuable Player in both competitions that year.
Balancing a tech career with international cricket
What makes Anand’s story particularly interesting is that cricket is not his only career. Alongside playing for Japan, he has continued working in the technology sector. In his IIT Kanpur interview, he said he first worked with Accenture in Japan and later moved to Manulife. The combination requires considerable time management. Anand told Hindustan Times that he would spend about eight hours at work before training at night. His cricket schedule also included match practice during the week. His international breakthrough came in 2025 when he was selected for Japan’s men’s national team. The Japan Cricket Association’s official records confirm that his debut came against the Cook Islands on May 9, 2025.His international journey has continued since then. In February 2026, he played for Japan during the Thailand Men’s Open series. In Japan’s opening match against Thailand on February 25, he scored 43 runs from 28 balls. The Japan Cricket Association also lists his latest international appearance as being against Papua New Guinea on May 18, 2026. The Japan Cricket Association subsequently included Anand in its 2026 men’s national squad.From playing tennis-ball cricket before IIT Kanpur to representing Japan internationally, Anand’s journey shows how an unconventional career path can take shape when education, work and passion are pursued together. His story is not about leaving academics behind for cricket. Instead, it is about finding a way to make both parts of his life work. As Anand himself told IIT Kanpur, “It’s okay to be confused. What’s important is to keep exploring and not ignore what excites you.” His journey from an IIT Kanpur chemistry student to an international cricketer in Japan is a striking example of that approach.
