India survive scare to beat Japan in rain-shortened T20I as teenager Sooryavanshi remains on bench

India defeated Japan by two runs in Sano on Tuesday, September 22, in the sides' first men's T20 International, a rain-reduced five-overs-per-side fixture in which 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, named in India's squad, did not take the field.

The game formed part of celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan and was played after rain and a wet outfield delayed the start. India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bat in the shortened contest, while Japan prepared to face the reigning T20 World Cup champions on home soil. Sooryavanshi's inclusion in the touring party had attracted attention in the build-up and was mentioned by Japan's captain ahead of the match.

India managed only 32 for four from their allocated five overs. Charlie Hara-Hinze struck early for Japan, removing Abhishek Sharma for a golden duck, and Sanju Samson fell cheaply, leaving the visitors short of big contributions before the innings concluded.

Japan reached 25 for three after four overs and required eight from the final over to complete an upset. Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming contributed 12 in the chase before Washington Sundar dismissed him with the final delivery of the fourth over, and Axar Patel conceded just two in the last over. Japan could manage only a leg bye off the final ball, leaving India two runs clear.

Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming expressed his disappointment that Sooryavanshi did not feature, saying at the post-match presentation ceremony: "I was a little bit disappointed that the 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav (Sooryavanshi) wasn't part of the team sheet today." The Japan captain had also spoken about the teenager ahead of the fixture, and Sooryavanshi's presence in the squad had been one of the talking points surrounding India's selection.

Japan produced a spirited showing against one of international cricket's leading sides, making India work for a narrow victory. For India, the fixture offered match practice ahead of their Asian Games campaign.

Sooryavanshi will now have to wait for another chance to make his T20I debut.