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India defeats Japan by two runs in historic first T20I
The Indian men’s cricket team secured a narrow two-run victory against Japan in a historic one-off T20 International at the Sano International Cricket Ground. The match, held to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations as part of the ‘Sport 75’ initiative, was reduced to five overs per side due to rain and a wet outfield.
India, which opted to bat first, struggled on a sluggish, turning pitch, managing only 32 runs for the loss of four wickets. Captain Shreyas Iyer top-scored with 16 runs. In response, Japan pushed the world champions to the limit, reaching 30 runs for three wickets. The match concluded with high drama in the final over, where Axar Patel conceded only five runs to secure the win.
This victory marks India’s 200th win in T20 International cricket, making them the first team in history to reach this milestone. The encounter also served as a preparation match for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games. The match was not without controversy, as an overturned wide call during the final overs drew criticism from some observers.
Entities
Axar Patel · India national cricket team · Japan National Cricket Team · Jasprit Bumrah · Kendel Fleming · Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming · Sano International Cricket Ground · Shreyas Iyer