India scored 32 runs after losing four wickets in five overs, Japan's team could only score 30 runs.
Sano. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel successfully defended eight runs in the last over. Standing on the threshold of becoming the victim of the biggest upset in the cricket world, India defeated Japan by two runs in the historic T20 international cricket match. Due to rain the match was played of five overs each.
Japan's spinners, while getting enough turn, allowed the Indian team, adorned with star batsmen, to score only 32 runs for four wickets in the stipulated five overs. Japan had a golden opportunity to register victory in its first match against the world's top team India, but in the end, inexperience came in the way and its team could only score 30 runs for three wickets.
For India, Washington Sundar took two wickets for 13 runs in two overs. Akshar Patel also bowled two overs in which he gave seven runs. His efforts proved decisive in the end as Ravi Bishnoi was out for 10 runs in one over.
When Japan needed eight runs in the last over, Akshar's experience of playing more than 150 IPL matches came in handy. They didn't give Shirai Patmore and Benjamin Ito Davis any chance to take risks. The rain slowing down the pace of the outfield also helped. Umpire Chris Thurgate gave some controversial wide ball decisions in the final over when left-handed batsman Patmore tried to play a reverse sweep and missed both times.
Indian captain Shreyas Iyer expressed his displeasure and complained to leg umpire Chris Brown, after which the second wide was cancelled. The Japanese team may have made India sweat, but the reason for this was the short overs match and the turn of the pitch.
Earlier, only captain Shreyas Iyer from India reached double digits. He scored 16 runs in 12 balls with the help of one four. The Indian batsman could hit only two fours and not a single six in his innings. Abhishek Sharma could not even open the account while Sanju Samson contributed nine runs, Ishan Kishan three and Tilak Verma contributed one unbeaten run. Samson hit the first four for India.