India Hold Off Japan by 2 Runs in Historic 75th Anniversary T20I

India edged out Japan by just 2 runs in a rain-truncated one-off T20I at the Sano International Cricket Ground, in a match cut to five overs a side due to a wet outfield. The contest marked the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations and came just ahead of the men's competition at the Asian Games.

Put in to bat, India could only manage 32/4 in their five overs. Shreyas Iyer top-scored with 16 off 12 balls, while the rest of the top order struggled to find any rhythm against tight Japanese bowling. Charlie Hara-Hinze was the pick of the attack with 2/17.

Chasing 33, Japan fought hard but fell agonisingly short, finishing on 30/3. Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming led the chase with 12 off 12 before falling to Washington Sundar, who picked up 2/13 and proved the difference with the ball. Benjamin Ito-Davis stayed unbeaten on 9 but couldn't quite get Japan over the line, with the hosts needing single figures off the last few balls before India held on.

It's a landmark result for Japanese cricket, who pushed a full-strength Indian side all the way in a historic fixture on home soil.