22 September,2026 07:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (Pic: X/@CricketJapan)
In the historic T20I match against Team India, Japan suffered a loss by two runs at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Sano.
Despite suffering a loss, Japan's skipper Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming said that he is proud that his team managed to run the best team in the world to the last ball.
"When it gets that tough, it gets a little tough to take. The fact that we were able to run the best team in the world to the last ball... Proud of the cricket group and broader community. The people working on this ground through the whole night made this game happen. Proud of not only the team but the broader community. Anything is possible was the attitude," he said.
The skipper also said that his team will now prepare for another upcoming match.
"Axar, Bishnoi bowling on our wicket, we knew it was going to be a challenge, but at 6.5 RPO, you know your mind wanders... A couple of moments will wander in our mind on a long bus ride. It's a feeling of pride. Look, he's progressing extremely well with bat and ball on the field; we weren't surprised with how it went today. We've got a 36-hour turnaround now; we'll rest up and prepare for another Full Mumber," said Kadowaki-Fleming.
Japan will lock horns with Afghanistan in the Asian Games 2026 match on Thursday.
Defending a low total of 32/4, India struck early in Japan's chase of 33. Wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan produced a sharp run-out to dismiss opener Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake for just one run in the opening over.
Off-spinner Washington Sundar maintained the pressure in the second over, removing Ibrahim Takahashi for four to leave Japan struggling at 7/2.
Japan mounted a recovery in the middle overs with Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and Benjamin Ito-Davis targeting leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, taking 10 runs off the third over to push the total to 18/2 and leaving Japan needing 15 runs from the final 12 deliveries with two set batters at the crease.
Eventually, Axar Patel held his nerve in the final over, defending eight runs to give India a two-run win and avoid one of the biggest upsets in cricket history.
Earlier, the Indian team motored along to 32 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in a one-off T20I against Japan. In the match reduced to five overs due to a wet outfield, Shreyas Iyer scored 18 runs as the rest of the batters faltered. Star opener Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a first-ball duck.
For Japan, Charlie Hara-Hinze was the star with the ball, taking two wickets in his two overs.
(With ANI Inputs)
