India survived a massive scare against Japan to clinch a thrilling two-run victory in the historic one-off T20 International in Sano on Tuesday, with the run-truncated contest producing one of the closest finishes in the team’s T20I history.After being reduced to just 32 for four in their five overs, India had their backs against the wall. But their spinners turned the contest around as Japan were restricted to 30 for nine in their five overs, allowing India to escape with a narrow victory.The result also saw India become the first team to register 200 wins in men’s T20Is, including victories in Super Overs.
India stunned by Japan’s spinners
The game had promised fireworks from India’s batting line-up, but it was Japan’s spinners who stole the show.With the match reduced to five overs per side after a delayed start caused by the wet outfield, Japan used spin for all five overs and found plenty of assistance from the surface.The ball began turning from the very first delivery and India’s batters struggled to adapt. Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a golden duck, while Sanju Samson followed in the next over. Ishan Kishan also failed to stay for long.Shreyas Iyer provided India’s only substantial contribution with a 16-run knock, but India could manage only 32 runs from their five overs.The damp conditions made matters even harder for the batters. The outfield was slow and boundaries were difficult to come by, adding to the challenge of scoring quickly.Japan walked off after the innings with plenty to celebrate, having reduced one of the world’s strongest T20I teams to such a modest total.
India’s spinners turn the game around
Japan needed only 33 runs from five overs and appeared to have a huge opportunity to complete one of the biggest upsets in their cricketing history.But India’s spin attack had other plans.Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi kept the pressure on Japan, exploiting the same conditions that had troubled India’s batters.Japan struggled to build momentum and, despite needing just over six runs an over, could not get over the line. India eventually held their nerve to defend the tiny target and win by two runs.
Controversial wide call adds to drama
The tension reached another level in the final over when a wide call against Axar Patel was overturned after an on-field discussion between the umpires.Alexander Shirai-Patmore attempted another reverse sweep and the delivery went down the leg side. The initial decision was called wide, much to the frustration of Axar and wicketkeeper Sanju Samson.Shreyas Iyer then spoke to square-leg umpire Chris Brown, while the two umpires discussed the decision. The original call was eventually reversed and the ball was ruled not a wide.With the final margin just two runs, the overturned call added another layer of intrigue to an already dramatic contest. Had the original wide decision stood, Japan would have received an additional run and one more delivery in a match eventually decided by just two runs.
