India held their nerve in a rain-shortened thriller as Japan pushed the reigning T20 world champions to the final over.
India survived a thrilling challenge from Japan to secure a two-run victory in their first-ever international cricket meeting. The reigning T20 World Champions were pushed to the limit in a rain-affected five-over contest.
The match was reduced to five overs per side after a wet outfield delayed proceedings. India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and chose to bat, but Japan made an outstanding start with the ball.
Charlie Hara-Hinze provided the early breakthrough by removing Abhishek Sharma for a first-ball duck. Japan struck again only two deliveries later when Ibrahim Takahashi dismissed Sanju Samson.
India were soon in serious trouble at 14/3 after Benjamin Ito-Davis claimed the wicket of Ishan Kishan in the third over. The Indian batters struggled to build momentum against disciplined Japanese bowling.
India managed eight runs in the fourth over, but Hara-Hinze returned in the final over to remove captain Shreyas Iyer. India eventually finished their allotted five overs at 32/4.
Japan began the chase carefully, aware that victory would create a major moment in their cricketing history. Axar Patel gave India an early advantage by dismissing Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake while conceding only two runs.
Washington Sundar then struck in the second over, removing Ibrahim Takahashi while giving away six runs. However, Japan responded strongly in the third over as captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and Benjamin Ito-Davis added 10 runs.
The pressure increased in the penultimate over when Japan scored six runs while also losing a wicket. With eight runs required from the final over, Japan remained within touching distance of an extraordinary upset.
Axar Patel was entrusted with the decisive over and delivered under pressure. He conceded only five runs, allowing India to escape with a narrow two-run win.
Despite the defeat, Kadowaki-Fleming highlighted the significance of Japan taking the world champions to the final ball. He praised his teammates and the wider Japanese cricket community for their performance.
The result gave India a victory, but Japan’s competitive display ensured their first meeting with the reigning world champions became a memorable chapter in Japanese cricket.