One-off T20I: India avoid historic upset versus Japan despite collapse
What's the story
India narrowly escaped a major upset against Japan, winning by just two runs in a rain-affected five-over-a-side T20I at the Sano International Cricket Ground. This was the first-ever international game between these two sides. In a surprising turn of events, Japan's unheralded spinners stunned India's star-studded batting line-up. The rain-affected match saw the Indian team restricted to a mere 32 runs for the loss of four wickets in a five-over-a-side affair. However, India later defended the total.
Match highlights
Japanese spinners shine against India
The inclement weather left the pitch with underlying moisture, which proved beneficial for left-arm spinner Charlie Hara Hinze and off-spinner Ibrahim Takahashi.
Hara Hinze took two wickets for 17 runs, while Takahashi claimed one for 13. Both bowlers bowled two overs each.
India's opener Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a golden duck.
Takahashi soon sent Sanju Samson packing for nine runs, and Benjamin Ito took out Ishan Kishan for just three runs, leaving India struggling at 14/3 in the third over.
Ito took one wicket and gave away just two runs in the only over he bowled.
Performance analysis
Indian batters struggle to get going on tricky pitch
Captain Shreyas Iyer stood firm, scoring 16 off 12 balls with a boundary before falling to Hinze in the last over.
His 16 turned out to be the highest individual score of the game.
The performance by Japanese spinners and skipper Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming was commendable as they understood conditions well at their home ground.
Chase
Japan's chase begins on shaky note
Chasing a modest target of 33 runs for a historic win, Japan opened with captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (12) and Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake (1), but lost the latter to a run-out by Ishan Kishan in the first over itself.
Washington Sundar then struck twice, sending Takahashi and Kadowaki-Fleming back to the pavilion. He gave away 13 runs in two overs. This left Japan needing eight runs off the last over.
Though Axar Patel bowled two wides in the final over, Japan were restricted to 30/3. Patel gave away just seven runs in his two overs.
However, Ravi Bishnoi's only over went for 10 runs.
Information
Historic win for India
This match marked India's 200th T20I victory, including Super Over wins, making them the first country to achieve this milestone, as per Cricbuzz. Skipper Shreyas Iyer has now won seven T20Is on a bounce.