Sano : Experienced all-round spinner Axar Patel choked the inexperienced Japanese batters just in time as India survived a scare to win the rain-curtailed one-off T20 International between the two mis-matched sides by a mere two runs, in Sano, on Tuesday.
With the match being reduced to five overs-a-side due to inclement weather and the underlying moisture on the surface offering more than expected turn, the apparent gulf in talent and experience was seemingly bridged as India managed only 32 for 4 in five overs hitting a total of three boundaries.
Indian skipper surprisingly decided to Bat first in the rain curtailed encounter. The underlying moisture of the pitch helped in providing appreciable turn for left-arm spinner Charlie Hara Hinze (2/17) and off-spinner Ibrahim Takahashi (1/13).
Abhishek Sharma (0) was dismissed by Hara-Hinze after the Indian swashbuckler mistimed the sweep while Takahashi flighted one to deceive Sanju Samson (10) in the air with his heave being taken at midwicket boundary.
Benjamin Ito-Davis (1/2) then got rid of Ishan Kishan (3), who was consistently trying to hit against the turn and ended up ballooning one to mid-off.
Shreyas Iyer (16) hit a boundary but the pitch was such that Indian players found it difficult to hit across the line.
The turn and the slowness of the track contributed to their downfall and the shorter duration of the match meant that there was no chance of a recovery.
Japan restricted India to a mere total of 32/4. While defending the target, India looked in danger of being embarrassed when Ravi Bishnoi went for 10 runs in the third over and Washington Sundar (2/13) gave away seven in the penultimate over.
However, with eight runs required off the final over, Axar’s (2-0-7-0) experience of playing 150-plus IPL games came in handy as he didn’t give any room to Shirai Patmore and Benjamin Ito-Davis to chance their arms.
Ultimately, India won by a small margin of 2 runs restricting Japan to 30/3 (5), thereby preventing a major upset to happen.
Brief Scorecard :
IND : 32/4 (5)
JPN : 30/3 (5)
Result : India won by 2 runs.
