India captain Shreyas Iyer praised Japan’s “impeccable” attitude and approach after the T20 world champions survived a major scare to secure a two-run victory in their historic first men’s T20I against the hosts at the Sano International Cricket Ground Tuesday.
Rain and a wet outfield reduced the one-off contest to five overs a side, and India struggled badly after opting to bat, managing just 32 for four on a slow, turning surface. Japan then took the chase to the final delivery before finishing on 30 for three, leaving India relieved ahead of their Asian Games title defence.
Iyer praises Japan
Iyer acknowledged the difficult batting conditions but reserved special praise for a Japan side ranked well below India in international cricket.
“Honestly speaking, it was a very difficult wicket to bat on,” Iyer said after the match. “A five-over game, it can go anywhere. It doesn’t matter how good a team you are.”
He said Japan’s attitude and approach had been “impeccable” and described their performance as outstanding, adding that the hosts appeared to be heading in the right direction.
The match marked the first men’s T20I between India and Japan and formed part of celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It was also Japan’s first T20I against a full-member nation.
India struggle against spin
Japan’s spinners made immediate use of the conditions after Iyer chose to bat. Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a golden duck, while Sanju Samson made nine and Ishan Kishan three as India slipped to 14 for three.
Iyer provided the only substantial contribution, scoring 16 off 12 balls with one four. He was dismissed off the penultimate delivery as India finished with 32 for four.
Seventeen-year-old left-arm spinner Charlie Hara-Hinze was Japan’s standout bowler, taking two wickets for 17 runs from his two overs. Ibrahim Takahashi returned one for 13, while Benjamin Ito-Davis conceded just two runs and picked up a wicket in his solitary over.
India’s total left Japan needing 33 from 30 balls for what would have been one of the biggest upsets in international cricket.
Axar holds nerve
India responded by relying entirely on spin. Japan lost Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake to a run-out in the opening over before Washington Sundar removed Ibrahim Takahashi.
Captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming kept the hosts in contention with 12 and Japan reached 18 for two after three overs. They collected seven from the fourth before Sundar dismissed Kadowaki-Fleming off its final delivery, leaving eight runs required from the last six balls.
Iyer turned to Axar Patel for the final over. The left-arm spinner conceded only five as Japan finished two runs short at 30 for three.
The narrow victory gave India a testing outing before their Asian Games campaign, while Japan emerged from the contest having pushed the world champions to the final ball in their first meeting at the international level.