JPN vs IND One-off T20I Results

9:07 AM IST 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.

9:04 AM IST 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!

9:01 AM IST 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.

8:52 AM IST 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.

8:49 AM IST 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.

8:32 AM IST Presentation Time...