Key Takeaways
- Umpires overturned a contentious wide call to help India secure a two-run victory over Japan.
- The match, reduced to five overs a side due to wet conditions, was one of the closest in India’s T20I history.
- India’s Washington Sundar and Axar Patel played crucial roles in the victory.
India narrowly escaped a major upset on Tuesday when umpires overturned a contentious wide call, ensuring a two-run victory over Japan in a rain-reduced historic one-off T20 International.
The match, played at the Sano International Cricket Ground, was cut to five overs a side due to a wet outfield, significantly altering the nature of the game.
India, choosing to bat first, struggled on a slow, turning surface and managed only 32 runs for four wickets. Skipper Shreyas Iyer top-scored with 16.
Chasing 33, Japan made a spirited effort and reached a position where eight runs were needed from the last over. Axar Patel was entrusted with the responsibility.
Tension mounted when umpire Chris Thurgate signalled a couple of deliveries wide as left-hander Alexander Shirai-Patmore attempted reverse sweeps. Patel and wicketkeeper Sanju Samson showed clear disagreement.
India’s Shreyas Iyer then approached square-leg umpire Chris Brown, leading to a discussion between the two officials. After the discussion, the second wide call was reversed and ruled a legitimate delivery.
Japan managed only a handful of runs thereafter and finished on 30 for three, falling short by two runs. The intervention proved decisive in preventing a stunning upset for the world champions against the associate side.
India’s Washington Sundar returned figures of 2 for 13, while Axar Patel conceded just seven runs from his two overs. For Japan, Charlie Hara-Hinze took 2 for 17.
The one-off fixture, part of preparations for both teams ahead of the Asian Games, highlighted the importance of such close matches in the build-up to major tournaments.
