India secured a narrow two-run win over Japan in the one-off T20 match at the Sano International Cricket Ground on Tuesday. The match marked Japan’s first men’s international against India under the Suzuki Cup.
Japan pushed India all the way after restricting the reigning T20 champions to just 32/4. India then defended the low total and restricted Japan to 30/3 in their five overs.India struggle after early wickets
India won the toss and chose to bat after rain delayed the start. The wet outfield reduced the match to five overs per side. Japan immediately put India under pressure with an all-spin attack.
Charlie Hara-Hinze dismissed Abhishek Sharma from the first ball. The Indian opener attempted a sweep but top-edged the ball to short fine leg. Ibrahim Takahashi then dismissed Sanju Samson for nine. He deceived the Indian batter with flight before Samson was caught at deep midwicket.
Benjamin Ito-Davis soon removed Ishan Kishan for three. India fell to 14/3 after three overs. Captain Shreyas Iyer then provided some stability. He hit Hara-Hinze for a boundary over cover in the final over. However, Iyer fell from the penultimate delivery. He holed out to deep extra cover after scoring 16 from 12 balls. India finished their five overs at 32/4.
Japan launch a strong chase
Japan began their chase with India relying on spin to defend the small total. Axar Patel bowled four dot balls in the opening over. Japan also lost Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake to a run-out while attempting a second run. Washington Sundar then dismissed Ibrahim Takahashi for four.
Japan, however, kept the pressure on India. Captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming attacked Ravi Bishnoi in the third over. Japan collected 10 runs from the over, including a scooped boundary. The hosts reduced the target to 15 runs from the final 12 balls.
Axar Patel holds nerve in final over
Benjamin Ito-Davis continued to keep Japan in the contest. Washington struck again with the final delivery of the fourth over. He dismissed Kadowaki-Fleming for 12 and left Japan needing eight runs from the last six balls.
Axar Patel took responsibility for the final over. The Indian spinner conceded only two runs from the first four legal deliveries. He then restricted Ito-Davis to a single from the fifth ball.
Japan needed a boundary from the final delivery to win. Shirai-Patmore could score only one run. India therefore completed a two-run victory.
Washington and Axar lead India’s defence
Washington Sundar finished with figures of 2/13. Axar Patel gave away only seven runs from his two overs. For Japan, Kadowaki-Fleming top-scored with 12 from 12 balls. Hara-Hinze was Japan’s most successful bowler. He finished with 2/17.