India vs Japan T20: India have beaten Japan in their first-ever cricket meeting, but only just. While the contest was expected to be dominated by the Men in Blue, three-time T20 World Cup winners, they managed just 32 runs in a rain-hit contest, reduced to 5 overs. Japan were dealt early blows, losing three quick wickets, but came agonizingly close to a historic win at the Sano International Cricket Ground, losing by just 2 runs in the end.

Japanese Bowlers Stun Indian Stars

After a rain delay of nearly two and a half hours, India were reduced to 32/4 in their five-over innings as Japan’s spin-heavy attack kept the star-studded batting line-up in check.

Abhishek Sharma fell for a first-ball duck, while Sanju Samson made nine and Ishan Kishan scored three.

Shreyas Iyer was India’s top scorer with 16 off 12 balls, while Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on one.

India’s top three managed just 12 runs between them, their lowest combined score against an Associate side in 16 T20Is.

Charlie Hara-Hinze was Japan’s best bowler with 2/17, while Ibrahim Takahashi and Benjamin Ito-Davis chipped in with one wicket each.

Japan Fall Just Short

Needing 33 runs from 30 deliveries, Japan started their chase with the belief that a historic upset was within reach.

However, Washington Sundar quickly swung the momentum back in India’s favour by removing captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and Ibrahim Takahashi.

Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake then suffered a run-out after Ishan Kishan produced a superb direct hit, putting Japan further under pressure.

Despite the setbacks, Benjamin Ito-Davis and Alexander Shirai-Patmore kept the hosts alive with a crucial partnership. Their efforts brought Japan to within just 8 runs of a famous victory heading into the final over.

India handed the ball to Axar Patel with the game hanging in the balance, and the spinner delivered under pressure. He conceded only six runs to shut the door on Japan’s late charge.