India narrowly avoided a stunning defeat against Japan, beating the hosts by just two runs in a rain-shortened T20 match in Sano, Japan, 24NewsHD TV reported on Tuesday.
After winning the toss, India elected to bat in the five-over-a-side game.
Their innings got off to a disastrous start as Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a first-ball duck in the opening over.
Opener Sanju Samson followed in the second over after scoring nine runs, leaving India in early trouble.
Japan nearly pull off a stunning win... India prevail by two runs in Sano pic.twitter.com/AuYelVqSE1
— Cricinfo (@cricinfo) September 22, 2026
India’s strong batting line-up struggled throughout the shortened innings, managing only 32 runs for four wickets in five overs.
Captain Shreyas Iyer top-scored with 16, while Ishan Kishan was dismissed for three.
India hit only two boundaries and failed to clear the ropes even once.
A splendid showing from Japan's spinners in Sano
— Cricinfo (@cricinfo) September 22, 2026
Will they get to 33 and upstage the visitors? https://t.co/A8ISvM090I pic.twitter.com/i2nZoiCtgB
Japan’s bowlers kept the Indian batters under pressure throughout the innings.
Charlie Haraguchi took two wickets for Japan, while Ibrahim Takahashi and Benjamin Ito-Davis claimed one each.
Japan made a serious attempt in the chase, scoring 30 for three in their five overs but fell just two runs short.
Captain Fleming scored 12, while Ibrahim Takahashi made four before being dismissed.
Yamamoto Rei was out for one, while Benjamin Ito-Davis remained unbeaten on nine and Shurai Pitmore on two.
Washington Sundar took two wickets for India as his side survived a major scare to secure the narrow victory.