SANO, JAPAN — World champions India narrowly avoided a stunning upset against Japan, winning a rain-shortened T20 international by just two runs after a controversial wide call was reversed in a dramatic final over.
The match was reduced to five overs per side, with Japan producing an impressive bowling performance to restrict India to only 32-4. Shreyas Iyer top-scored with 16 from 12 balls, while 17-year-old Japanese spinner Charlie Hara-Hinze took two wickets, including opener Abhishek Sharma with the first ball.
Japan needed eight runs from the final over and appeared to receive an important extra run when umpire signalled a wide after Alexander Shirai-Patmore attempted a reverse sweep against Axar Patel.
Axar and captain Iyer questioned the decision, prompting the two umpires to consult. The wide was then overturned, leaving Japan needing six runs from the final three deliveries rather than five from four.
Despite the controversy, the revised decision appears consistent with international T20 playing conditions. Once a batter changes stance or hand position to attempt a reverse shot, the normal leg-side wide protection no longer applies and both sides are effectively treated as the off side for judging a wide.
Questions were nevertheless raised over how the original on-field decision was reversed following India’s protest when the match did not have the Decision Review System.
Axar successfully completed the over as Japan finished on 30-3, just two runs short of what would have been one of international cricket’s biggest upsets.
Japan had earlier slipped to 8-2 after two overs before scoring 17 runs from the next two to set up the dramatic finish.
The match was the first international meeting between India and Japan and served as preparation for the men’s Asian Games cricket competition beginning Sept. 24.