India Hold Their Nerve to Beat Japan by 2 Runs in Shortened T20 Match

India defeated Japan by two runs in the first T20 international between the two sides on Tuesday, securing a narrow victory in a rain-affected match.
Japan needed eight runs from the final over while chasing a target of 33. However, the Japanese batters could manage only six runs, allowing India to claim a two-run win.
The match at Sano International Cricket Ground was delayed by around two and a half hours because of rain. The delay resulted in a reduction in the number of overs, with the contest eventually being played over five overs per side.
India won the toss and elected to bat first. The Indian team scored 32 runs for the loss of four wickets in its five overs, setting Japan a target of 33 runs.
India's opening batter Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a duck, while Sanju Samson scored nine runs and Ishan Kishan made three. Captain Shreyas Iyer was India's top scorer with 16 runs before returning to the pavilion.
Japan then took up the chase but finished six runs short of the target, with India successfully defending its total in the shortened contest.
The match was organised to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Japan.