Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Shreyas Iyer Criticized After Controversial Wide Reversal Against Japan
India played Japan in a very short cricket match because of rain.
India scored 32 runs and Japan scored 30.
This meant India won by only two runs.
Near the end, an umpire called one ball a wide.
A wide gives the batting team an extra run.
India captain Shreyas Iyer spoke with an umpire after the call.
The umpires then changed the decision and said the ball was legal.
Some fans thought Iyer pressured the umpires, while the umpires said through their action that the decision could be reconsidered.
The moment became one of the most discussed parts of the match.
India defeated Japan by two runs in a rain-shortened five-over T20I in Sano.
India posted 32/4 before restricting Japan to 30/3 in the historic match.
A wide called by Chris Thurgate was later overturned after discussions involving the umpires and Shreyas Iyer.
The reversal occurred late in the chase, with Japan needing six runs from four balls, according to one report.
Social-media users accused Iyer of pressuring the officials, while the umpires ultimately made the formal change.
- Who
- India, Japan, India captain Shreyas Iyer, and umpires Chris Thurgate and Chris Brown.
- What
- A late wide decision was changed to a legal delivery during India’s two-run victory over Japan.
- When
- Tuesday, during the five-over match; the reversal came in the final over.
- Where
- Sano.
- Why
- The umpires discussed the call after Iyer, India’s players, and officials reacted to the delivery; the change came while India defended a narrow lead.
Critics of the Reversal
Umpiring Explanation
Influence on the Decision
Critics of the Reversal
Social-media users said Iyer pressured or “bullied” the umpire into changing the call and described the incident as “genuinely disgraceful.”
Umpiring Explanation
The reports state that the umpires discussed the delivery and were the officials who ultimately changed the decision.
Review Process
Critics of the Reversal
Critics questioned how a major decision could be overturned without DRS or a third umpire.
Umpiring Explanation
The umpires handled the disagreement through an on-field discussion, although the reports do not provide a formal explanation for the reversal.
- Result
- India beat Japan by two runs.
- India’s score
- 32/4.
- Japan’s score
- 30/3.
- Match format
- Rain-shortened five-over T20I.
- Contested delivery
- A ball initially called wide was later declared legal.
- Umpires
- Chris Thurgate and Chris Brown.
- Reported situation
- Japan needed six runs from four balls when the disputed call occurred, according to one report.
