India vs Japan highlights, one-off T20I: India (33/4) beat Japan (30/3), survive massive scare

Attention now turns to the Asian Games - That brings us to the end of a shortened but nail-biting contest, where Japan came agonisingly close to pulling off the unthinkable, only for India to hold their nerve and come up with the goods when it mattered most. Both sides will now turn their attention to their respective Asian Games campaigns. Japan begin with their opening game against Afghanistan on Thursday, 24 September, at 12 am GMT (5.30 am IST), while India have a little more time to prepare with a direct entry into the quarter-finals. Their quarter-final is scheduled for Monday, 28 September, beginning at 4.30 am GMT (10 am IST). As always, you can join us early for all the build-up to both matches. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

The victorious skipper of India - Shreyas Iyer collects the trophy from one of the dignitaries and poses for a few photographs. On the crowd at Sano and how significant it is to play cricket in Japan, Shreyas first congratulates India and Japan on their 75 years of diplomatic relationship. Says it was a long trip for them from Tokyo. Even reduced to five overs, he is simply glad a game happened. On the contest itself, he calls it an exciting one, and doesn't hold back in praising Japan for a genuinely brilliant showing of their own. Turning to his leadership role, Iyer reflects that responsibility naturally brings pressure, and it is a challenge, he says, he thrives on, always eager to explore what comes with it. On their aim to win the Gold Medal at the Asian Games, he stresses the importance of taking things one step at a time, and adds that they will reach Nisshin first and then assess the conditions there, setting a standard for the side and building from that foundation as things progress.

The captain of Japan - Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming says that he is extremely proud of the team, and when you get that close, it is always a tough one to take. Adds that given that they were able to take the best team in the world to the last ball, he is not only proud of his team, but also the broader community. Mentions that hearing someone like Shreyas talk about the progression of Japan cricket is quite surreal. He also gives credit to the title sponsor Suzuki, BCCI, and JCA for organising this game. Beyond them, the volunteers, ground staff, and the Women's team everyone deserves appreciation, as without them, this would not have been possible. Fleming shares it was pure excitement that drove them into the chase, with an 'anything is possible' attitude against India’s world-class spinners Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi. He acknowledges the challenge of batting on a spinning wicket but says the required rate of around 6.5 an over kept them believing that a couple of clean hits could change the game. He adds that the team was extremely proud to have taken the contest all the way to the final ball.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Shreyas Iyer wins the award for his valuable 16 off 12 balls. Iyer, on the adaptability and how tough it was to bat out there, admits that the ball was turning square. He explains that reading that early on, the priority became rotating the strike, taking the ones and twos wherever possible, rather than forcing the issue. His approach, he says, was simply to play each ball on its merit. He is quick to point out that this is exactly why a five-over game can swing either way, and doesn't hesitate to credit Japan for an approach he calls impeccable. He is confident that they are on the right track, and for his own side, he frames the whole experience as valuable practice on a testing surface.

Presentation Time...

A touch of class after the battle - While we wait for the presentation to get underway, the Japanese players are taking a lap around the ground to acknowledge the fans who have turned up to show their support. There is plenty of disappointment among the hosts, knowing just how close they came to pulling off a famous upset. Meanwhile, a few of the Indian players, including Jasprit Bumrah, are taking time to pose for pictures with the Japanese players and coaching staff, while also signing a few autographs for the fans. Some lovely scenes at the end of what has been a memorable contest.

A narrow escape for India - India quickly realised that spin was the way to go after experiencing the same challenges with the bat, and Axar Patel set the tone with a tidy first over, conceding just two runs. The visitors also picked up a run-out before Washington Sundar struck in his first over to keep Japan under pressure. Ravi Bishnoi was a little expensive, but Axar and Sundar kept things tight at the other end in the closing overs, doing enough to see India over the line in a game that threatened to turn into an embarrassing defeat.

A stunning bowling show - Earlier in the game, Japan stunned India with a superb bowling effort, led by their spinners, to restrict them to just 32/4 from five overs after the match was shortened. Charlie Hara-Hinze was the pick of the attack with two wickets, while Ibrahim Takahashi and Benjamin Ito-Davis chipped in with one apiece. India’s batters appeared caught off guard by a slow, turning surface and struggled to find their timing, with Shreyas Iyer’s 16 off 12 the highest score. No other Indian batter reached double figures, a rare sight for this side, particularly in this format.

The pressure tells at the finish - Chasing 33 from five overs, Japan were in early trouble at 7/2, but Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and Benjamin Ito-Davis refused to let the game slip away, taking 10 runs off Ravi Bishnoi’s over to keep the hosts firmly in the hunt.  The pressure eventually told, though, as Japan looked for boundaries rather than settling for the ones and twos that could have been enough. Even so, they took the chase down to the final ball, needing a boundary to pull off a stunning upset, but Shirai-Patmore could not find the big moment Japan were desperately searching for.

Japan falls just short - So close, yet so far for Japan! They came within touching distance of creating history, but India survived a huge scare to get their Asian Games campaign off to a winning start. Full credit to the hosts for their incredible fight and determination against the World Champions, but the Men in Blue had just enough in the end to hold their nerve and get over the line.

4.6: Axar Patel to Shirai-Patmore, Swings hard, but cannot connect cleanly. Japan were so, so, so, close to create history, but unfortunately, it wasn't to be. INDIA WIN BY 2 RUNS! Though not before being made to huff and puff for it. Fuller in length, on the middle and leg stump line. Shirai-Patmore goes low and goes for the sweep but gets it off the inside half of the bat, and the ball rolls to short fine leg for a single only. What a thriller this turned out to be at Sano! And what a way for Japan to introduce themselves on debut against India. Handshakes out in the middle now, and there's visible relief on Indian faces at having dodged a serious upset. Japan, for all the heartbreak of the defeat, will walk away knowing they pushed the T20I champions to the brink. All told, a sensational game of cricket.

4.5: Axar Patel to Benjamin Ito-Davis, Goes flatter and shorter, outside off, Benjamin Ito-Davis stands tall and hammers it wide of long off for a single. 4 runs needed from the final ball. Any dramas?

4.4: Axar Patel to Shirai-Patmore, Full and outside off, quicker one. Shirai-Patmore gets down down on a knee and slogs it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A bit of a discussion between Shreyas Iyer and the umpires, who is clearly not happy with the decision. The wide called has now been changed to a dot ball. So, 6 needed in 3 balls now.

4.3: Axar Patel to Shirai-Patmore, WIDE? Another extra conceded? Oh dear! Down leg, on a length, with a mile full of turn. Shirai-Patmore goes for the reverse sweep once more but fails to make contact. Wide is signalled again, and this time it is Axar who is absolutely fuming at the call, protesting that the batter had looked to switch his stance fairly early, well before the ball was even released. Belatedly, though, the decision gets overturned, and it is ruled a fair delivery after all.

India Women strike Gold - India Women have clinched the gold medal in emphatic fashion, bowling Sri Lanka out for just 69 to complete a huge 147-run victory. After Smriti Mandhana’s 79 and Shafali Verma’s 48 laid the platform, Richa Ghosh provided the late fireworks with an unbeaten 49 to take India to 216/3. With the ball, it was once again the spinners who did the damage, squeezing Sri Lanka out of the chase. Deepti Sharma led the way with three wickets, while the others chipped in at regular intervals. It was a complete performance from India, with the batters setting up a daunting total before the spinners finished the job to seal another Asian Games gold.

4.3: Axar Patel to Shirai-Patmore, WIDE! Samson is not very impressed with the decision as it came a tad belatedly. Good length, down leg, and turning further away. Shirai-Patmore goes for the reverse sweep but is beaten on the edge. 

4.2: Axar Patel to Benjamin Ito-Davis, On a length, just outside off. Ito-Davis mistimes his lofted shot toward long off, and manages just the one.

4.1: Axar Patel to Benjamin Ito-Davis, Slides in on a length, on middle and leg, and turns away with bounce. Benjamin Ito-Davis has a big hoick across the line, looking to loft it over the leg side but misses and the ball passes over the stumps.

This is becoming an edge-of-your-seat thriller. Japan need 8 runs in the final over. Axar Patel has the job of defending them. Also, Shirai-Patmore comes out to the middle.

3.6: Washington Sundar to Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, OUT! CAUGHT! The Japanese skipper falls. Washington darts this one in, quick through the air and landing just outside off. Fleming looks to muscle it back over the bowler's head once more, but doesn't connect the way he wants to, and the ball skies off the leading edge, straight into the safe hands of short third where Yash Thakur takes a dolly. Japan are 25/3, needing 8 runs from 6 balls.

3.5: Washington Sundar to Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, Beaten! Sharp turn, on a length, outside off, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming tries to play the reverse sweep but gets comprehensively beaten.

3.4: Washington Sundar to Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, Uppish but lands safely! Quicker and flatter, shorter on off, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming lofts it off the toe end of the bat, over mid off. Tilak Varma runs over his right shoulder and puts in a dive to pluck the ball but it falls out of his reach. The batters scamper through for the second run. 8 runs needed from 8 balls.

3.3: Washington Sundar to Benjamin Ito-Davis, Stump-to-stump line, spinning in and around middle, Benjamin Ito-Davis gets a bit crouched and pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

3.2: Washington Sundar to Benjamin Ito-Davis, On a shorter length, on middle, Benjamin Ito-Davis lofts it over mid on. Tilak Varma runs to his left to cut it by palming the ball in before the ropes at long on. Two more runs taken. Good hustle between the wickets. 11 needed from 10 balls for Japan.

3.1: Washington Sundar to Benjamin Ito-Davis, In the air... safe! Good work there in the deep. Good length on middle stump. Benjamin drags it away across the line, finding the gap to the left of deep backward square leg. Bishnoi dives but can't get a hand on it, and they run two.

15 needed in 12 balls for Japan. One more good over, and they will be on the verge of creating history.

2.6: Ravi Bishnoi to Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, A short delivery on the stumps, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming stands tall and flat-bats it wide of long on for a couple of runs.

2.5: Ravi Bishnoi to Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, FOUR! Goes past the fielder! Clever shot from the skipper. Too quick on a length, outside the off stump. Kendel shuffles outside off and plays the scoop shot over the keeper's head. The man from deep fine leg runs across and dives but his effort goes in vain as the ball seeps into the fence.

2.4: Ravi Bishnoi to Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, A direct hit at the bowling end! But there is no third umpire review available to check. Fuller, a googly, outside off. Kadowaki-Fleming chops it away to short cover and they rush through for a single. Iyer swoops in to cut it off and has a shy at the bowler's end, hitting the stumps perfectly. India go up in appeal for the run out which is turned down by the umpire, it seems. The ball ricochets away to deep mid-wicket, and the batters cash in for two runs.

2.4: Ravi Bishnoi to Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, WIDE! Miles outside off, on a length, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming throws his bat at it to access the off side but the ball keeps drifting away and breaches the tramline.

2.3: Ravi Bishnoi to Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, Full and on the leg stump, another googly by Ravi. Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming employs the reverse sweep but misses and the ball hits his thigh pad before rolling to the right of Samson.

2.2: Ravi Bishnoi to Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, Drifts it far outside off and this is the googly that outfoxes the left-hander. Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming looks to smash it away but misses to connect.

2.1: Ravi Bishnoi to Benjamin Ito-Davis, Short and quick, outside off with a massive away turn. Benjamin Ito-Davis fetches it and drags it down to long on for a single. No timing whatsoever.

Change? Yes, Ravi Bishnoi comes into the attack.

1.6: Washington Sundar to Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, Dropped short and drifting into the batter, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming goes deep inside the crease and bunts it down the pitch.

1.5: Washington Sundar to Benjamin Ito-Davis, A touch short and outside off, and Benjamin Ito-Davis pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

The next batter in is Benjamin Ito-Davis.

1.4: Washington Sundar to Ibrahim Takahashi, OUT! CAUGHT! Sundar takes revenge right away. Slows it up through the air this time and gives it a good flight. Lands it full on the stumps and the ball bits back into the batter. Ibrahim Takahashi once again opts to take on the bowler with a slog sweep, but mistimes it badly off the inner half of the bat and offers a catching practice to Ravi Bishnoi stationed at deep square leg. Japan are 7/2, chasing 33 runs.

1.3: Washington Sundar to Ibrahim Takahashi, FOUR! Exceptional hit! A lot quicker and fuller from Sundar, full on middle, Ibrahim Takahashi gets low on his knee and plays with the spin. Slogs it aerially over the leg side and bisects the deep square leg and deep mid-wicket fielders to perfection for a boundary. Japan are 7/1 in the Powerplay.

1.2: Washington Sundar to Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, Dropped short and around off, turning away sharply. Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming hangs back and knocks it through cover-point for a single.

1.1: Washington Sundar to Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, Play and a miss! A bit full, spinning away from outside off. Kadowaki-Fleming reaches for the drive through covers but is beaten on the outside edge.

Washington Sundar will share the attack.

0.6: Axar Patel to Ibrahim Takahashi, Drifts in on a length and then gets the ball to dip, turn and bounce off the track. Ibrahim Takahashi gets low on a knee to slog it powerfully over mid-wicket, but the extra bounce and turn outfoxes him.

Early blow for Japan. Ibrahim Takahashi walks out to bat at number 3.

0.5: Axar Patel to Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, OUT! LACHLAN IS RUN OUT! Disaster for Japan. Incredible fielding display by Ishan Kishan. Good length, outside off, and turning away. Lachlan uses his wrists to steer it away towards deep square leg. They run the first run hard and turn back for the second. Ishan Kishan sprints to his left and fires in a rapid throw at the striker's end, hitting the target dead on. Lachlan dives desperately but comes up short of his ground. The square leg umpire doesn't even need a replay, and up goes the finger straight away. Japan are 2/1, chasing 33 runs.

0.4: Axar Patel to Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, Keeps it far away from his hitting arc, short and turning away with bounce. Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake throws his bat at it and chops it back to the bowler.

0.3: Axar Patel to Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, On a fuller length around the leg stump, Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake tries the reverse sweep but misses to connect. Trying to adventurous from the get-go.

0.2: Axar Patel to Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, Spinning away sharply, on a length, outside off, left alone.

0.1: Axar Patel to Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, Japan are underway! Full and on the stumps, this is tickled by Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming to the short fine leg region for a single.

We are back for the chase! The players are already out in the middle. Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake and Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming are the two openers for Japan. Axar Patel will start proceedings with the ball.

... THE RUN CHASE ...

History in the making? Japan have every right to believe a run-a-ball total is well within reach. The question now is whether their inexperienced batters can back up the work their bowlers have put in against a quality Indian bowling unit. The surface looks slow, something of a minefield to bat on, one where even Abhishek Sharma fell for a golden duck, and Kishan and Samson never quite got their timing right either. India have gone in with three spinners, and don't be surprised if we see an all-spin approach deployed at the other end too, mirroring exactly what Japan did with the ball. Back in a bit with the chase.

Rain, stay away - The skies have become a bit more overcast, but we hope that the rain stays away for some more time, giving us the 5 overs of the chase. Fingers crossed.

Gold Medal within reach - Elsewhere, India Women are now firmly in control of the Gold Medal match, having posted a commanding 216/3 from their 20 overs. Sri Lanka’s chase has completely unravelled in response, with the scoreboard reading 52/7 and the required rate climbing out of reach. India are now just three wickets away from wrapping up a dominant victory and securing the gold medal.

Spin does the trick for Japan - There are so many wins for this Japanese side to take from that opening burst already. Number one. They conceded just two boundaries in five overs, and against an Indian batting order capable of racking up triple figures inside the Powerplay alone, and picking up 4 enormous wickets will please them enormously. Number 2. Just as impressive was the energy the hosts brought to the field, hustling hard to save every run, while their spinners extracted prodigious turn to back it up. Together, it all painted the picture of a side overflowing with competitive spirit.

World Champions shocked - We are pretty certain that reading the scorecard right now might have surprised a few too many. And no one would have expected the Indian team to be restricted to 32/4 in 5 overs. But here we are. Japan were exceptional with the ball. And what a way to announce yourself, doing it against the very side that just defended its T20 World Cup crown earlier this year.

4.6: Charlie Hara-Hinze to Shivam Dube, Big swing and a miss to end the innings! Charlie Hara-Hinze loops it up, full and on off, turns in sharply. Shivam Dube has to go for the big slog as this is the last ball, but he only connects with thin air. India finish on 32/4 in 5 overs!

Just fantastic stuff from Japan in the field. Last ball remaining and Shivam Dube is out to face it.

4.5: Charlie Hara-Hinze to Shreyas Iyer, OUT! TAKEN! Charlie Hara-Hinze gets his second wicket and the Indian skipper goes back now. He gives this one some more air, full and around off, turns it away. Shreyas Iyer tries to go inside-out with the turn, but his bat turns a bit in his hands. It goes high in the air towards deep extra cover, where Makoto Taniyama settles under it and takes a safe catch.

4.4: Charlie Hara-Hinze to Shreyas Iyer, Slower through the air, short and around off, Shreyas Iyer cuts it wide of deep point and comes back for the second run.

4.3: Charlie Hara-Hinze to Shreyas Iyer, FOUR! Up and over! Charlie Hara-Hinze bowls this quicker, short and outside off. Shreyas Iyer finally gets some pace to work with, extends his arms and slaps it over extra cover for a boundary.

4.2: Charlie Hara-Hinze to Shreyas Iyer, DROPPED! First fielding blip from Japan! Floated, full and around off, Shreyas Iyer backs away to loft it but mistimes it high in the air. The fielder from extra cover runs backwards, gets under it but fails to hang onto the ball. A couple of runs added to the total.

4.1: Charlie Hara-Hinze to Shreyas Iyer, Flighted, full and around off, turns away, Shreyas Iyer goes for the reverse sweep but misses.

4.1: Charlie Hara-Hinze to Tilak Varma, Two wides! Tossed up, full and on middle, turns down the leg side. Tilak Varma goes down to slog sweep but misses. The keeper also fails to stop it. A bye is taken and a wide is given.

India haven't been able to break free and we are already into the final over. Charlie Hara-Hinze (1-0-7-1) will wrap up.

3.6: Ibrahim Takahashi to Shreyas Iyer, Almost a blinder! Ibrahim Takahashi slows it up, full and around off, turning away. Shreyas Iyer has a slog across the line but gets a top edge. It flies over short third, where the fielder goes airborne to his right, gets a fingertip, but the ball just does not stick in. Another double.

3.5: Ibrahim Takahashi to Tilak Varma, Quicker, full and on middle, angling in, Tilak Varma clips it through mid-wicket for one.

3.4: Ibrahim Takahashi to Shreyas Iyer, Excellent fielding! Flighted, full and around off, Shreyas Iyer drives it square with good timing, wide of point. Charlie Hara-Hinze dives to his right to make a fine one-handed stop. Just one.

3.3: Ibrahim Takahashi to Shreyas Iyer, Flatter, short and outside off, Shreyas Iyer slashes at it but gets a top edge wide of short third. It slows down in the heavy outfield and the fielder mops it up. Two taken.

3.2: Ibrahim Takahashi to Shreyas Iyer, Floated, full and on off, turns in, Shreyas Iyer looks to push it away but gets a bottom edge back towards the bowler.

3.1: Ibrahim Takahashi to Shreyas Iyer, Tossed up, full and on middle, Shreyas Iyer tucks it with soft hands through mid-wicket and comes back for the second run.

Three overs of quality spin from Japan. Ibrahim Takahashi (1-0-5-1) to continue.

2.6: Benjamin Ito-Davis to Tilak Varma, Arm ball, full and on leg, angling in. Tilak Varma backs away and tries to clip it away but misses and gets hit on the pads. 

2.5: Benjamin Ito-Davis to Tilak Varma, Quicker, short and outside off, keeps a bit low. Tilak Varma tries to cut but chops it down off the bottom edge onto the pitch, and the ball goes nowhere.

This is something truly exceptional, whatever we are witnessing here at Sano. Spin has trapped the Indian batters with the top three blown away. Tilak Varma is in at number 5.

2.4: Benjamin Ito-Davis to Ishan Kishan, OUT! CAUGHT! Benjamin Ito-Davis gets a wicket, and he deserves it. A flighted delivery from him, full and on off, turns away. Ishan Kishan goes for the big swipe across the line but loses his bottom hand. Gets a top edge as the ball goes straight up in the air towards cover, where Makoto Taniyama takes a simple catch. India are 14/3 now.

2.3: Benjamin Ito-Davis to Ishan Kishan, Flatter delivery, full and just outside off, turns away. Ishan Kishan, for the third time, goes for the reverse sweep but fails to connect. Looks at the umpire but does not get the wide call.

2.2: Benjamin Ito-Davis to Ishan Kishan, Floated, full and around middle, Ishan Kishan goes for the reverse again but misses and gets hit on the body. There is a big appeal for LBW, but turned down.

2.1: Benjamin Ito-Davis to Ishan Kishan, Good fielding! Tossed up, full and on middle and off, Ishan Kishan goes for the reverse sweep but gets a top edge over point. The fielder runs after it and stops it just before the ropes, saving a couple of runs.

Benjamin Ito-Davis is into the attack now, replacing Charlie Hara-Hinze.

1.6: Ibrahim Takahashi to Ishan Kishan, Edgy! Floated, full and on off, turns away again. Ishan Kishan looks to drive it away but gets an outside edge to the right of short third for a single.

1.6: Ibrahim Takahashi to Ishan Kishan, WIDE! Quicker, full but angling down the leg side, Ishan Kishan lets it go. Wided.

1.5: Ibrahim Takahashi to Ishan Kishan, Turn and bounce! Slows it up, short and around off, turns away a long way. Ishan Kishan backs away but cannot get anywhere near the ball. This is excellent stuff from Ibrahim!

1.4: Ibrahim Takahashi to Shreyas Iyer, Dragged back, outside off, Shreyas Iyer punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

The Powerplay is done. India are 10/2 as the field is being spread.

1.3: Ibrahim Takahashi to Shreyas Iyer, Oh, a leg-break now, full and around off, turns away, Shreyas Iyer tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Pure ecstasy running through the Japanese camp. An exceptional start from the hosts, with both Indian openers back in the hut with just one ball left in the Powerplay. Skipper Shreyas Iyer is in at number 4.

1.2: Ibrahim Takahashi to Sanju Samson, OUT! TAKEN! Ibrahim Takahashi strikes in his first over. He tosses it up, full and on middle, and gets it to turn in a bit. Sanju Samson stretches out in front and tries to slog it across the line but gets it from the inside half of the bat. He does not get any timing as the ball flies towards deep mid-wicket, where Benjamin Ito-Davis comes a bit forward and takes a good catch. Japan players are ecstatic here as both Indian openers are back in the hut.

1.1: Ibrahim Takahashi to Sanju Samson, Ibrahim Takahashi begins with a short delivery, on middle, Sanju Samson stands tall and swats it down the ground. Shoma Sugaya-Slater, who took the catch, runs to his left and gets a hand to push the ball back inside. Two taken.

You can't ask for a better start than this if you are Charlie Hara-Hinze. The delight on every Japanese players was worth watching. In walks Ishan Kishan at number 3, with Ibrahim Takahashi ready to operate from the other end.

0.6: Charlie Hara-Hinze to Abhishek Sharma, OUT! IN THE AIR...GONE! Charlie Hara-Hinze has his big moment in this historic game. He gives this one some more air, full and around middle. Abhishek Sharma gets down on one knee and tries to swipe it away but the ball bounces a bit more than he expects. It takes the top edge and flies high in the air towards short fine. Shoma Sugaya-Slater runs to his left, keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a fantastic catch. Hinze is on a celebratory run, and he cannot be caught. India are 7/1 as Abhishek goes back for a golden duck.

A bit of a chat between the bowler and the Japanese captain as Abhishek is on strike. Some fielding changes are being made before we are good to resume.

0.5: Charlie Hara-Hinze to Sanju Samson, Slows it up, shortish and on off, turns away, Sanju Samson punches it down to long off for a run.

0.4: Charlie Hara-Hinze to Sanju Samson, FOUR! Connects well this time! Arm ball, short and just outside off. Sanju Samson makes a bit of room for himself and carves it over extra cover for a one-bounce four.

0.3: Charlie Hara-Hinze to Sanju Samson, Swing and a miss! Tossed up, full and on middle, grips and turns away a bit. Sanju Samson has a slog across the line but misses it completely as the ball just goes over the stumps.

0.2: Charlie Hara-Hinze to Sanju Samson, Flatter, short again and around off, Sanju Samson backs away and slices it over covers. He does not time it that well and the fielder from inside the circle chases after it to stop it. Two taken. India are underway!

0.1: Charlie Hara-Hinze to Sanju Samson, Nicely bowled! Charlie Hara-Hinze starts with a floated delivery from around the stumps, short and on middle, angles in and jumps up a bit. Sanju Samson stays back and blocks it out.

Righto, the pre-match formalities are done and after a looooong wait, it is now time to get this historic one-off T20I underway in Sano. FYI, the Powerplay will be 1.3 overs in this 5-over dash. The Indian openers - Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson - walk to the crease now. A huddle is formed by the Japanese players before they spread out to take their respective fielding positions. Japan are starting with spin right away. Charlie Hara-Hinze has the new ball and is raring to go. Samson is on strike. Here we go...

Both teams stand ready to head out for the national anthems. But as they line up, there's plenty of laughter and banter exchanged between players from both sides. Lovely scenes, and already the two sides look like old friends catching up. Some cultural flavour is thrown in too, with traditional drums setting the beat as the players make their way out for the anthems. Every single player from both sides is now getting an individual introduction from the venue announcer. First, the Indian national song Vande Mataram rings out. Now, it's time for the Indian national anthem, followed by Japan's.

Both captains have been presented with mementos, and pleasantries are exchanged all around, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. And now, the beginning of a cricketing partnership between them too. A special, special occasion this, one that speaks to the growing geography of the sport across the globe.

Japan (Playing XI) - Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (C), Benjamin Ito-Davis, Wataru Miyauchi, Shirai-Patmore (WK), Charlie Hara-Hinze, Ibrahim Takahashi, Declan Suzuki, Makoto Taniyama and Shoma Sugaya-Slater.

India (Playing XI) - Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Yash Thakur and Arshdeep Singh.

The Japanese captain - Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming says that they would have batted first as well, purely to give the home crowd a chance to see some of the world's best players in full flow, but is happy either way. On how it feels to lead Japan out against India, the excitement is written all over his words. He says it's only now, with the toss done and the game about to begin, that the magnitude of the occasion is truly sinking in, and he is hopeful his side can put on a show worth remembering. He frames it as a big moment for the wider cricketing community. He also takes a moment to thank the volunteers who have worked through the night behind the scenes, along with the JCA, the BCCI and the sponsors for making it all happen. He admits it is almost surreal to have the reigning world champions here in Japan. Something he says he wouldn't have believed possible just a couple of years ago.

The Indian captain - Shreyas Iyer says that they will bat first. Adds that it is a big occasion and obviously, it has been a great friendship for 75 years between the countries. Mentions that they just want to look at the conditions, and this being a 5-over contest, it is a forte for them. Iyer shares that he never envisions captaining India here in Japan, but it is exciting to be standing here in front of a lovely crowd. Reckons they want to give something back to the fans who have come here and the ones back at home, so it is great that this game is happening. Iyer says that it is important to know the conditions and what's happening around them, and this game will be good practice for their upcoming Asian Games matches.