India Edges Japan by Two Runs in Rain-Shortened T20I

India defended 32 for nine targets... India held off Japan by two runs in a five-over T20I in Sano, sealing the program's 200th men's T20I victory after a late wide-call reversal.

A rain-affected outfield reduced the one-off T20 International in Sano to five overs per side, and India narrowly held off Japan to win by two runs. India became the first men's team to reach 200 victories in T20Is with the result.

India's batting faltered against an all-spin Japan attack that bowled all five overs. Abhishek Sharma fell for a golden duck, Sanju Samson departed in the following over, and Ishan Kishan also failed to last long. Shreyas Iyer's 16 was the top score as India closed on 32 for four.

Chasing 33, Japan were strangled by the spin of Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi, finishing on 30 for nine. The final over brought controversy when a wide called against Axar was overturned after the umpires conferred, following a reversed-sweep attempt by Alexander Shirai-Patmore that went down the leg side. With the winning margin at two runs, the reversal proved decisive.