India survive Japan scare in historic first meeting
The reigning T20 World Champions beat Japan by two runs in a rain-shortened five-over encounter.
India held off a spirited Japan challenge in the first-ever meeting between the two sides, with the reigning ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions securing a narrow two-run victory.
Play was reduced to five overs a side after much of the scheduled playing time was lost due to a wet outfield. India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bat, but Japan’s bowlers were quickly on the attack as Charlie Hara-Hinze dismissed the dangerous Abhishek Sharma for a first-ball duck.
Just two balls later, Ibrahim Takahashi struck to remove Sanju Samson and put India firmly on the back foot. Benjamin Ito-Davis continued Japan’s impressive start, picking up the wicket of Ishan Kishan in the third over as India slipped to 14/3.
India added eight runs in the fourth over, but Hara-Hinze returned in the fifth to dismiss captain Shreyas Iyer, leaving India with a total of 32/4.
Japan began their chase cautiously as they targeted what would have been a historic victory. Axar Patel struck in the opening over to dismiss Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake while conceding just two runs. Washington Sundar followed in the second over, removing Ibrahim Takahashi and conceding six runs.
Japan found their momentum in the third over, with Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and Benjamin Ito-Davis combining for 10 runs. The penultimate over produced six runs and a wicket, leaving Japan needing eight from the final over.
Axar Patel held his nerve under pressure, conceding just five runs in the final over as India survived a major scare to seal a two-run victory.
Japan captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming shared his thoughts after the game, reflecting on what has been, irrespective of the result, a historic day for Japanese cricket.
“When it gets that tough, it gets a little tough to take. The fact that we were able to run the best team in the world to the last ball. Proud of the cricket group and broader community.” said Kadowaki-Fleming.
“We knew it was going to be a challenge, but at 6.5 RPO you know your mind wanders, a couple of moments will wander in our mind on long bus ride.”
Image courtesy: BCCI