Archive · 22 Sep 2026
India Survive Japan Scare in Rain-Hit T20I Thriller
Rain shortened the cricket match between India and Japan to five overs per team.
India was expected to win easily, but the wet and turning pitch made batting difficult.
India scored 32 runs while losing four wickets.
Japanese bowlers, especially Charlie Hara-Hinze and Ibrahim Takahashi, made it hard for Indian batters to score.
Japan then came close to chasing the target.
They needed eight runs in the final over to win.
Axar Patel bowled carefully and India won by two runs.
An umpire first called a delivery wide but later changed the decision after India complained.
The match also marked the first time Vande Mataram was played before an Indian men's cricket match overseas.
India defeated Japan by two runs in a rain-reduced five-over-per-side T20I in Sano.
India made 32 for four after Japanese spinners exploited the turning, moisture-affected pitch.
Shreyas Iyer top-scored for India with 16 from 12 balls, while Sanju Samson made 10.
Japan needed eight runs in the final over, but Axar Patel restricted them to complete India's win.
A wide call during the final over was overturned after India's captain objected, prompting debate.
- Who
- India and Japan, led by Shreyas Iyer and Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming respectively, played the match.
- What
- India won a rain-hit one-off T20 International by two runs.
- When
- The match was played on Tuesday.
- Where
- The match took place at the Sano International Cricket Stadium in Sano, Japan.
- Why
- Rain reduced the match to five overs per side, while moisture and turn in the pitch made batting difficult.
India's View
Umpiring Concern
Overturned wide call
India's View
India's captain Shreyas Iyer objected to a wide call during the final over, and the second wide decision was overturned.
Umpiring Concern
The initial wide decisions were described as contentious, and the reversal became significant because Japan was chasing a very small target.
Meaning of Japan's close challenge
India's View
India's narrow win reflected its ability to handle a tense finish, with Axar Patel controlling the final over.
Umpiring Concern
The shortened match and difficult turning pitch reduced the usual gap between the teams and gave Japan a chance to produce a major upset.
- Result
- India beat Japan by two runs.
- Match format
- One-off T20 International, reduced to five overs per side.
- India's score
- 32 for four in five overs.
- Japan's score
- 30 for three.
- India's top scorer
- Shreyas Iyer scored 16 from 12 balls.
- Key bowler
- Axar Patel defended the final over as Japan required eight runs.
- Notable ceremony
- Vande Mataram was played before the national anthem, marking its first use before an Indian men's cricket match overseas.
