SRI CITY, India (Kyodo) -- The sport of cricket may be little known in Japan, despite first being played in the country in 1863, but in India it verges on religious status.

For Naotsune Miyaji, a former member of Japan's national cricket team, a corporate tournament in southern India offered the perfect opportunity to introduce Japanese expatriates to the sport and showcase its global appeal.

The tournament in Sri City, held once or twice a year, involved 18 companies and mostly local employees. Japanese participants were less familiar with the rules, so Miyaji handed out pamphlets produced by the Japan Cricket Association (JCA), based in Sano, Tochigi Prefecture, explaining the game's history and key features.

"Events like this are a great way for people from different departments to come together as a team," said Ryuta Fujimoto of Isuzu Motors Ltd. "Listening to a former national team player speak about cricket makes it even more special."

Miyaji first encountered cricket at university. Having previously played baseball and swum competitively, he was drawn to cricket as a new challenge.

In 2009, while still a student, he was selected for the Japan national team. At the time, the team was an equal mix of Japanese players and foreign residents living in Japan.

"It felt like a sport that could bring people together across nationalities," he recalls.

Now living in India, Miyaji continues to promote cricket among Japanese residents, giving lectures and hosting events, including sessions at the Japanese Embassy.

Cricket is played in over 100 countries, and in India it is regarded as the national sport, a legacy of the country's former colonial ties with Britain.

During a visit to Britain in July, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described cricket as both a sport and a metaphor for international relations.

"For both of us (India and Britain), cricket is not just a game, but a passion and also a great metaphor for our partnership," Modi told reporters after meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

"There may be a swing and a miss at times, but we always play with a straight bat. We are committed to building a high-scoring solid partnership," he added.

Naotsune's older brother, Naoki Miyaji, serves as the CEO of the JCA, which is leading efforts to develop the sport in Japan.

Cricket was introduced to the country by the British expatriate community in the late 19th century and was initially taken up by some elite private Japanese schools.

However, it failed to take off in the way baseball did and faces challenges. Japan has few dedicated grounds, and the sport requires time, equipment and money to organize.

Even so, the number of registered players has increased to 5,600 and with the sport scheduled to appear at next year's Asian Games in Aichi Prefecture and at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the Miyaji brothers believe it will attract more attention and participation.

"The inclusion in major international events will definitely be a tailwind for us," Naoki says.

Globally, cricket has the second-largest number of players, after football, and Naoki hopes that Japan will start to recognize its potential.

"Cricket is a sport rich in diversity and teamwork," he says. "I would encourage everyone to give it a try at least once. It's a sport that welcomes anyone, regardless of nationality."