India survive Japan scare to clinch 200th T20I win
The defending T20 world champions just about got over the line in a truncated five-overs-a-side clash
India narrowly avoided a historic upset, defeating Japan by two runs in a rain-curtailed, five-overs-a-side one-off T20I at the Sano International Cricket Ground. This was India's 200th victory in T20Is - including Super Over wins - making them the first country to the milestone.
The historic game was under threat of rain from the beginning. After losing a significant amount of time, a five-over game saw India elect to bat first. But the inclement weather and conditions meant runs weren't easy to come by. Japan's unheralded spin attack capitalized on the underlying pitch moisture, stunning India's top order early.
Opener Abhishek Sharma was caught off Charles Hinze for a golden duck on the final ball of the opening over. Ibrahim Takahashi quickly dismissed Sanju Samson for 9 two balls later, before Benjamin Ito removed Ishan Kishan for just three, leaving India struggling at 14 for 3 in the third over. Captain Shreyas Iyer provided vital resistance, scoring 16 off 12 balls with a boundary, before falling to Hinze in the final over. India finished their five overs on 32 for 4, with Hinze (2/17), Ito (1/2), and Takahashi (1/13) leading Japan's disciplined bowling effort.
Chasing 33 runs for a landmark victory, Japan opened with captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, and the latter was run-out by Ishan Kishan in the opening over itself.
Off-spinner Washington Sundar struck twice, dismissing Takahashi for four and Kadowaki-Fleming for a run-a-ball 12, finishing with figures of 2 for 13. Before Japan lost its skipper, the equation was down to eight required off as many deliveries. Even needing eight runs off the final over, Japan would have fancied themselves.
Axar Patel sent down two wides, the second of which was overturned - a point that proved pivotal in India's defence. Japan needed six in the three remaining deliveries and all they could manage were singles off each as Axar held his nerve to avoid a major upset.
Brief scores: India 32/4 in 5 overs (Shreyas Iyer 16; Charlie Hara-Hinze 2-17) beat Japan 30/3 in 5 overs (Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming 12; Washington 2-13) by 2 runs
