India Survive Japan Fightback To Claim Dramatic T20I Victory

India survived a late scare from Japan to secure a narrow two-run victory in the only T20I at the Sano International Cricket Ground.

Heavy rain and a wet outfield reduced the fixture to five overs per side, creating an unusual contest that remained in the balance until the final delivery.

The victory also took India’s tally to 200 T20I wins, including matches decided by Super Over.

A delay of almost two-and-a-half hours preceded the match before India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bat.

Japan’s spin attack exploited the conditions effectively and restricted India to 32/4 after four overs.

Sanju Samson contributed nine runs from seven deliveries, and Iyer produced 16 from 12 balls to provide the highest individual score.

Charlie Hara-Hinze led Japan’s bowling effort with two wickets for 17 runs, while Ibrahim Takahashi and Benjamin Ito-Davis claimed one wicket apiece.

Japan Come Close in Chase

Japan needed 33 runs from their allotted 30 deliveries and launched a determined response against the Indian attack.

Washington Sundar broke Japan’s momentum by taking two wickets, while Axar Patel maintained pressure through disciplined bowling.

The hosts eventually reached 30/3, leaving them two runs short of a memorable victory over India.

Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming scored 12, while Benjamin Ito-Davis added nine during Japan’s chase.

The match produced further drama during Japan’s fourth over when the umpire initially signalled a delivery as a wide.

Axar Patel and Iyer contended that the batter had attempted a reverse sweep, leading to the decision being overturned and the delivery being counted as legal.

Japan’s competitive performance provided a positive sign ahead of the Asian Games, while India secured the result after surviving a remarkably close five-over contest.

Brief scores: India 33/4 in 5 overs (Shreyas Iyer 16, Sanju Samson 9; Charlie Hara-Hinze 2-17) beat Japan 30/3 in 5 overs (Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming 12, Benjamin Ito-Davis 9; Washington Sundar 2-13) by two runs.

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