India vs Japan Highlights, one-off T20I: IND narrowly avoid monumental upset with nail-biting 2-run win vs JPN

India vs Japan one-off T20I Highlights: India managed to win by only two runs, as minnows Japan showed tremendous fight. The Men in Blue were stunned by the Japanese bowlers as they could only managed 32/4. However, the Indian spinners kept their composure to restrict the home side to 30/3.

India defeated Japan by a margin of just two runs (BCCI)

India vs Japan Highlights, one-off T20I: India almost avoided a massive upset by Japan, as they secured a win in the historic one-off T20I by just 2 runs....Read More

Follow all the updates here:

• 22 Sept 2026, 01:44:18 PM IST

  India win narrowly, but Japan show tremendous fight

  It was a nail-biting final over by Axar Patel as both players and fans had their hearts in their mouths. Needing 8 to win, Axar almost gave the game away with two consecutive wides. However, the second wide was reversed, after Shreyas Iyer had a chat with the umpire. Ultimately, he gave five runs in the 20th over, as India narrowly win by 2 runs and avoid a monumental upset. The Men in Blue have a lot to ponder about from their performance today as they begin their Asian Games journey from September 28.

• 22 Sept 2026, 01:35:36 PM IST

  Washington Sundar takes two

  Japan are close to a win but India are not letting them off easily. Washington Sundar picks up his second wicket of the day, and gives away 7 runs in the third over. Japan now need 8 to win in the final over.

• 22 Sept 2026, 01:32:45 PM IST

  Japan back in contention

  Ravi Bishnoi gave away 9 runs in the third over, as Japan are now back in contention for a monumental win against India.

• 22 Sept 2026, 01:24:33 PM IST

  Second wicket down!!

  In the second over of the game, India have picked up their second wicket, as the spinners are making life difficult for Japan. Washington Sundar gets his first wicket of the day as he dismisses Ibrahim Takahashi. Japan could only score 8 in the first two overs.

• 22 Sept 2026, 01:21:39 PM IST

  India strike early

  India have struck in the very first over, thanks to a brilliant bit of fielding from Ishan Kishan in the deep. He pulled off a bullet throw from the boundary line to execute a direct hit. Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming becomes the first wicket to fall.

• 22 Sept 2026, 01:08:33 PM IST

  India score 32/4

  It was nothing short of a shocking batting display by India as the Japanese bowlers restrict them to just 32/4 in 5 overs. In fact, the Men in Blue hit just 2 boundaries in five overs. All five overs were bowled by spinners, with Charlie Hara-Hinze being the pick of the bowlers with two wickets.

• 22 Sept 2026, 12:57:38 PM IST

  India three wickets down!!

  Ishan Kishan becomes the third wicket to fall, as Japan have spun a web around India. The Indian batters are struggling on a pitch that is turning and gripping. In the first three overs of the five-over match India have just put on 14 runs in three overs.

• 22 Sept 2026, 12:48:49 PM IST

  Sanju Samson gone as well

  India are off to a shocking start against Japan, as they have now lost both their openers. Sanju Samson becomes the latest wicket to fall in the 9th ball of the match. as he skies a catch straight into the hands of the Japan fielder. India are in deep, deep trouble!!

• 22 Sept 2026, 12:45:32 PM IST

  Abhishek Sharma departs!!

  Abhishek Sharma becomes the first wicket to fall, that too for a golden duck. Japan get off to a terrific start, as they concede just 7 runs in the first over in this five-overs-a-side contest.

• 22 Sept 2026, 12:39:10 PM IST

  Check out live coverage of Asian Games women's gold medal match!!

  As India and Japan are set to lock horns, here's our live coverage of the Asian Games women's cricket final between India and Sri Lanka, as Harmanpreet Kaur's women have the upper hand in the contest, as they are chasing to retain their gold.

• 22 Sept 2026, 12:35:30 PM IST

  No Vaibhav Sooryavanshi!!

  Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has not been selected in the one-off match against Japan. This is now the fourth game in a row that he is not featuring in, after missing out from the playing XI in the entire series against Afghanistan.

• 22 Sept 2026, 12:11:31 PM IST

  Playing XIs

  Here are the playing XIs of both sides:
  
  India : Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Yash Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh

  Japan : Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming(c), Benjamin Ito-Davis, Wataru Miyauchi, Alexander Shirai-Patmore(w), Charlie Hara-Hinze, Ibrahim Takahashi, Declan Suzuki-McComb, Makoto Taniyama, Shoma Sugaya-Slater

• 22 Sept 2026, 12:02:23 PM IST

  India to bat first!!

  India have won the toss, as Shreyas Iyer has decided that he will bat first in this five-overs-a-side game.

• 22 Sept 2026, 12:00:24 PM IST

  Five-over match confirmed!!

  A five-overs-a-side match is confirmed as the match has been delayed due to rain. The toss will take place at 12 PM IST, and the match is set to begin at 12.30 AM IST.

• 22 Sept 2026, 11:58:45 AM IST

  Toss seems close

  The players are warming around the pitch, while Shreyas Iyer is walking out to the pitch with full jerseys. It appears the toss is just round the corner. Iyer appears to have received the team sheet from the team manager.

• 22 Sept 2026, 11:34:10 AM IST

  BCCI provide official update

  Update: Next inspection will be at 3:15 PM local time (11:45 AM IST).#TeamIndiaInJapan | #JPNvIND https://t.co/IIc6yrBMp8

  — BCCI (@BCCI) September 22, 2026

  The BCCI has now also officially said that the next pitch inspection is at 11.45 AM. The fans are still at the ground in hope of a match to take place.

• 22 Sept 2026, 11:16:16 AM IST

  Next inspection at 11.45 AM

  The match has been delayed further, as the next inspection is scheduled to be held at 11.45 AM, according to an announcement from the ground at Sano. The chances of getting a game are getting slimmer by the minute.

• 22 Sept 2026, 11:12:48 AM IST

  Inspection underway!!

  The match referee is now speaking with the captains of the two teams, and also to the groundstaff. The main area of concern appears to be a few damp patches in the outfield. With no super soppers or ground staff working on drying them, they are probably expecting it dry naturally.

• 22 Sept 2026, 10:57:25 AM IST

  Indian players appear relaxed

  The Indian team appear relaxed on the field, as there is still no update on when and if the match will begin. The team seem to be enjoying a game of football, as the skies have turned cloudy once again.

• 22 Sept 2026, 10:39:24 AM IST

  Japan hold a big T20 world record

  Japan captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming & Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake hold the world record for the biggest partnership in the history of T20 cricket. The opening pair stitched together a partbership of an unbeaten 258 against China in 2024.

• 22 Sept 2026, 10:21:05 AM IST

  Asian Games women's final underway!!

  As we wait for the India men's team to begin proceedings against Japan, the toss at the women's final at the Asian Games in done and dusted. India have won the toss and elected to bat against Sri Lanka, as Harmanpreet Kaur's women search for gold.

• 22 Sept 2026, 10:05:20 AM IST

  Bright and sunny in Sano

  The conditions are apt for a good game of cricket but yesterday's downpour has resulted in the field not being ready for the action to begin. The ground staff are doing the required work, using sawdust to clear the wet patches.

• 22 Sept 2026, 09:52:57 AM IST

  Next inspection at 10:45

  🚨 Update 🚨
  
  Next inspection will take place at 2:15 PM local time (10:45 AM IST).#TeamIndiaInJapan | #JPNvIND

  — BCCI (@BCCI) September 22, 2026

  The official update by BCCI says that the next inspection will take place at 10:45 AM IST. The wait continues. Expect a curtailed contest if it begins.

• 22 Sept 2026, 09:41:52 AM IST

  Inspection soon

  Inspection time is 11:45. We are just nearing for the officials to declare their verdict on whether the pitch is ready for action to resume. Expect an official word anytime now.

• 22 Sept 2026, 09:35:11 AM IST

  Shreyas and Laxman walk out

  Shreyas Iyer and VVS Laxman walk out to the field to have a first look of the pitch. The Indian supporters are having a gala time on the sidelines and a lot of noise is being created.

• 22 Sept 2026, 09:29:33 AM IST

  First signs of the Indian team

  Finally some glimpses of the Indian camp. Tilak Varma is doing some gentle warm-ups. However, there is no signs of groundstaff doing any sort of work on the field. It's a wait and watch situation for now as the inspection is just 15 minutes away. Stay tuned as we bring you more updates.

• 22 Sept 2026, 09:24:22 AM IST

  Japanese players on the field

  The Japanese players are out on the field training and doing their warm-ups ahead of the historic fixture. However, no signs of the Indian camp yet.

• 22 Sept 2026, 09:20:23 AM IST

  No covers on the field

  There are no covers on the field and the official broadcast on Fancode shows crowd being asked to make some noise. There is a respectable turnout and most of the crowd is dominated by Indians, as expected.

• 22 Sept 2026, 09:11:50 AM IST

  Bumrah likely to be rested too

  With Jasprit Bumrah expected to play a key part in the Asian Games, the VVS Laxman-led management is likely to give Jasprit Bumrah rest for the tie against Japan. And it would be understandable. The pacer needs to be wrapped in cotton wool, considering the upcoming assignments, especially the New Zealand tour, where India will play five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests.

• 22 Sept 2026, 09:08:44 AM IST

  Will Vaibhav get a chance?

  The one-off T20I presents India with a chance to rest some regular members and maybe give a game to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 15-year-old. He's unlikely to start in the playing XI in the Asian Games so it might be good to give a youngster a go in today's match against Japan.

• 22 Sept 2026, 09:04:21 AM IST

  When did Japan play their inaugural T20I?

  While Japan played their first-ever T20I in 2022, the match against India is their first tie against a full-member nation. However, we need to wait a bit more for the action to begin as the toss has been delayed due to wet outfield. However, it's not raining as of now, and skies are clear. However, the rain on Monday has led to the field not being ready yet for the action to begin.

• 22 Sept 2026, 08:58:12 AM IST

  Toss delayed

  Toss has been delayed due to a wet outfield. An inspection will take place at 1:15 PM local time (9:45 AM IST).

• 22 Sept 2026, 08:46:02 AM IST

  What a picture!

• 22 Sept 2026, 08:44:22 AM IST

  What is in it for India?

  It's obviously a no-contest on paper, but India will look at the game to get acclimatised ahead of the start to their title-defense campaign at the Asian Games men's cricket. They had won the gold in the 2022 Games.

• 22 Sept 2026, 08:30:14 AM IST

  What has Japan to gain from the match?

  Nothing but an opportunity of a lifetime for these cricketers to rub shoulders with the best in the business.

  "The fact that India has agreed to come, the fact that I'm sitting here talking to you guys, the fact that there's already a lot of Japanese media coming tomorrow to find out more about this game and about the sport -- I think success is already here," Japanese Cricket Association COO Alan Curr said ahead of the game.

• 22 Sept 2026, 08:20:08 AM IST

  Why are India playing against Japan?

  This match, it was not part of the schedule. It was only on September 4 that BCCI announced the fixture, named Suzuki Cup, which will take place at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture. While will be a much-needed exposure for the Japanese cricketers, and the cricket fraternity in the nation, it holds far more significance beyond the cricket field. his international game will launch the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of India-Japan Diplomatic Relations.

• 22 Sept 2026, 08:11:15 AM IST

  What does the squad look like?

  Squads:

  India Squad: Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shreyas Iyer(c), Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Yash Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar, Vipraj Nigam, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

  Japan Squad: Kendel Fleming(c), Shirai Patmore(w), Alester Fleming, Benjamin Ito Davis, Reo Sakurano Thomas, Kohei Kubota, Wataru Miyauchi, Declan Suzuki, Ibrahim Takahashi, Makoto Taniyama, Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, Tsuyoshi Takada, Charlie Hara-Hinze, Shoma Slater, Jake Kusuda-Nairn

• 22 Sept 2026, 08:05:48 AM IST

  Hello and welcome!

  Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of one-off T20I between India and Japan. Stay tuned for more updates!