IND vs JPN one-off T20I: India survive scare from Japan to win five-over a side match by 2 runs
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "IND vs JPN one-off T20I: India survive scare from Japan to win five-over a side match by 2 runs")
India survive scare from Japan to win Suzuki Cup by 2 runs Photograph: (BCCI)
Chasing a target of 33 runs, Japan, playing for the first time against India, failed to score boundary needed on the last ball to win the match and managed 30 runs for loss of three wickets.
India survived a scare against Japan to win the one-off T20I on Tuesday (Sep 22) and claim the first-ever Suzuki Cup with a two-run win in Sano. The rain-affected contest saw overs being reduced to 5 overs per side from the full 20 overs, and India came out victorious after an early batting setback. Chasing a target of 33 runs, Japan, playing for the first time against India, failed to score the boundary needed on the last ball to win the match and managed 30 runs for the loss of three wickets. Japan's bowling performance, however, was exemplary against two-time T20 World Cup champions India.
Japan bowling shocks India batters in Suzuki Cup
After rain reduced the match to five overs per side, India won the toss and skipper Shreyas Iyer decided to bat first. The decision proved costly instantly, with dashing opener Abhishek Sharma getting out for a first-ball duck on the last ball of the first over. Abhishek's partner Sanju Samson (9 off 7 balls) was next to get out two balls later, and Ishan Kishan (3 off 6 balls) followed him back to the dressing room in the next over. Skipper Iyer scored 16 off 12 balls before getting out on the penultimate ball, as India scored 32/4 in 5 overs.
Chasing the target, Axar Patel bowled the first over for India as Japan scored only two runs and lost Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake (1) to a run-out. Washington Sundar bowled the next over and dismissed Ibrahim Takahashi (4), conceding six runs in the over. Ravi Bishnoi came next and gave away 10 runs as Japan dreamt of doing the unthinkable. In the fourth over, Sundar gave away seven runs in the first five balls but dismissed Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (12) to tilt the match into India's favor once more.
Axar Patel bowled the last over and gave away just five runs, defending the 8 runs needed by Japan, including denying the boundary off the last ball as India won the match by two runs.
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What did the captains say after the match?
Speaking at the post-match presentation, India skipper Iyer said: "(The pitch) was turning square, was a very difficult wicket to bat on. We saw the openers as well, not being able to gauge the pace of the spin. I decided it's easy to take singles and doubles, interact with the batsman who came in with me. Decided I'll be playing on the merit of the ball. If the ball is turning and holding a bit, I'll nudge for singles and doubles... See I always keep saying five overs game, it can go anywhere. Attitude Japanese team showed today is impeccable. I'm sure they're on the right track, for us it was a great practice on the wicket."
Japan skipper Kadowaki-Fleming added: "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. The people working on this ground through the whole night, made this game happened. Proud of not only the team but the broader community. Anything is possible was the attitude. Axar, Bishnoi bowling on our wicket, 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. It's a feeling of pride."
