Axar Patel defended 8 runs in the last over, securing a narrow 2-run victory for India after Japan restricted them to 32/4.
Shreyas Iyer-led Indian cricket team defeated Japan by two runs in a gripping five-over one-off T20I at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Kanto on Tuesday, with Axar Patel defending eight runs in the final over after Japan had restricted the reigning world champions to 32/4. The hosts got off to a bad start when Ishan Kishan’s superb throw dismissed opener Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake for one run off the fifth delivery of the first over while chasing 33. All-rounder Washington Sundar removed Ibrahim Takahashi for four runs in his following over as Japan lost their second wicket at seven.
India Survive Big Scare
Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and Benjamin Ito-Davis combined to score 10 runs off Ravi Bishnoi, bringing the hosts to 18/2 after three overs. Japan required 15 runs from the final 12 balls. The Japanese batsmen got seven runs off Washington Sundar’s fourth over, but the off-spinner struck on the final ball, removing Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming for 12.
Japan had 25/3 on the scoreboard after four overs and required eight runs from the final over. All-rounder Axar Patel bowled a magnificent final over, defending eight runs as a feisty Japan side finished on 30/3 in five overs, falling short by two runs. Washington Sundar was India’s standout bowler, taking two wickets. Earlier, Japanese spinners stunned an explosive Indian batting line-up, reducing the reigning world T20I champions to 32/4 in just five overs.
India Batters Collapse vs Japan
Only skipper Shreyas Iyer (16 in 12 balls, with a four) reached double digits in India’s powerful lineup, while Abhishek Sharma registered a golden duck. Team India struggled to connect their shots against Japan’s spinners. Spinners benefited greatly from the enthusiasm demonstrated by fielders. Charlie Hara-Hinze (2/17) was the pick of Japan’s bowlers, with Ibrahim Takahashi (1/13) also taking a wicket.
Opening the batting, Sanju Samson battled against Charlie Hara-Hinze’s slow left-arm orthodox spin, scoring only one boundary in five balls. Japan made a huge breakthrough with the penultimate ball, with Charlie removing Abhishek for a golden duck after he received a top edge when sweeping.
India was 7-1 after the first over. This was Abhishek’s eighth golden duck in T20Is this year and his tenth overall in T20s, the most by a batter in one calendar year. Ibrahim Takahashi took the important wicket of Sanju (nine in seven balls, including a four), with Benjamin Ito-Davis taking the catch. Japan had India at 9/2 after 1.2 overs.
At the end of two overs, India was 12/2, with Ishan Kishan and skipper Shreyas Iyer undefeated on one run each. India‘s problems on a sluggish Sano surface continued as Ishan was dismissed for three runs, with Ito-Davis making a brilliant catch. India was 14/3 after 2.4 overs, suffering with spin. After three overs, India’s score was 14/3.