<p>India survived a scare against Japan in the one-off T20I on Tuesday (Sep 22) to win the maiden Suzuki Cup. Defending 32 runs in the five-over-per-side match, India registered a two-run victory. The result could have been very different if the Japan batters had hit a boundary off the last ball or if the wide ball hadn't been reversed. With Japan needing 9 runs off the last over, spinner Axar Patel gave away just one run off the first two balls, but then the drama began: he bowled a wide and then another, but the second was overturned, leaving Japan needing 7 off 3 balls, which they failed to score.</p><h2>Why did the umpire give it a wide?</h2><p>After scoring just one run off the first two balls, Alexander Shirai-Patmore tried a reverse sweep and umpire Chris Thurgate, who had stood in 17 T20Is before this match, called it a wide. Axar bowled the next ball the same as the previous one and the batter played the exact same shot. The umpire again gave it a wide, after which the Indian camp protested. Square leg umpire Chris Brown, a member of the ICC's elite panel, discussed the decision with Thurgate, and the decision was overturned.</p><p><strong>Also Read</strong> - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/icc-ftp-2027-2031-t20i-expansion-fewer-odis-schedule-1790102887873">ICC plans T20I expansion and fewer ODIs in 2027–2031 FTP cycle: Report</a></p><h2>What does the rule say?</h2><p>According to ICC rules, if a batter tries to reverse sweep a ball, the leg-side delivery in the new stance is reachable, and the ball—if missed—is no longer a wide. The same rule applies when the batter tries to play a switch hit (changing grip and stance). The ball will not be called a wide even if the batter changes stance after the ball has been released; therefore, reversing the wide call was the right decision by the umpire.</p><p>"It should not have been a wide because, as per the laws of the game, be it a switch-hit or reverse-sweep, once you attempt, abort, or even end up playing it, both sides become off-side. So the 17-inch mark for wide deliveries will be accounted for. So unless the ball goes past that mark, it will remain a legal delivery," said an ICC umpire in conversation with The Indian Express.</p><p>The overturned wide eventually became the difference between Japan's loss and a tied game.</p>

India beat Japan by two runs in a 5-over Suzuki Cup T20I after a controversial wide call was overturned when Japan attempted a reverse sweep. Under ICC rules, reverse sweeps remove leg-side wide protection.

India survived a scare against Japan in the one-off T20I on Tuesday (Sep 22) to win the maiden Suzuki Cup. Defending 32 runs in the five-over-per-side match, India registered a two-run victory. The result could have been very different if the Japan batters had hit a boundary off the last ball or if the wide ball hadn't been reversed. With Japan needing 9 runs off the last over, spinner Axar Patel gave away just one run off the first two balls, but then the drama began: he bowled a wide and then another, but the second was overturned, leaving Japan needing 7 off 3 balls, which they failed to score. Why did the umpire give it a wide? After scoring just one run off the first two balls, Alexander Shirai-Patmore tried a reverse sweep and umpire Chris Thurgate, who had stood in 17 T20Is before this match, called it a wide. Axar bowled the next ball the same as the previous one and the batter played the exact same shot. The umpire again gave it a wide, after which the Indian camp protested. Square leg umpire Chris Brown, a member of the ICC's elite panel, discussed the decision with Thurgate, and the decision was overturned. Also Read - ICC plans T20I expansion and fewer ODIs in 2027–2031 FTP cycle: Report What does the rule say? According to ICC rules, if a batter tries to reverse sweep a ball, the leg-side delivery in the new stance is reachable, and the ball—if missed—is no longer a wide. The same rule applies when the batter tries to play a switch hit (changing grip and stance). The ball will not be called a wide even if the batter changes stance after the ball has been released; therefore, reversing the wide call was the right decision by the umpire. "It should not have been a wide because, as per the laws of the game, be it a switch-hit or reverse-sweep, once you attempt, abort, or even end up playing it, both sides become off-side. So the 17-inch mark for wide deliveries will be accounted for. So unless the ball goes past that mark, it will remain a legal delivery," said an ICC umpire in conversation with The Indian Express. The overturned wide eventually became the difference between Japan's loss and a tied game.

<p>India beat Japan by two runs in a 5-over Suzuki Cup T20I after a controversial wide call was overturned when Japan attempted a reverse sweep. Under ICC rules, reverse sweeps remove leg-side wide protection.</p>

IND vs JPN T20I: How an overturned wide became point of difference between India's win and a tie

<p>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.</p><h2>Japan bowling shocks India batters in Suzuki Cup</h2><p>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.</p><p><strong>Also Read </strong>- <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/asian-games-2026-india-beat-sri-lanka-in-final-to-defend-women-s-cricket-gold-1790064346884">Asian Games 2026: India beat Sri Lanka in final to defend women's cricket gold</a></p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><h2>What did the captains say after the match?</h2><p>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."</p><p>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."</p>

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. Also Read - Asian Games 2026: India beat Sri Lanka in final to defend women's cricket gold 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. 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."

<p>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.</p>

IND vs JPN one-off T20I: India survive scare from Japan to win five-over a side match by 2 runs

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IND vs JPN T20I: How an overturned wide became point of difference between India's win and a tie

IND vs JPN one-off T20I: India survive scare from Japan to win by 2 runs