Sundar closes out a thriller
Washington Sundar’s two-wicket spell proved the sliver of difference in a five-over finish, as India defended 32 to beat Japan by 2 runs. With the chase tight throughout, Japan kept the target in sight until the closing exchanges, but Sundar’s control ensured the required rate never dipped enough for a late surge. India’s total looked modest, yet it was just out of reach when Japan ended on 31/3.
Powerplay wickets set the tone
With the match compressed into a single five-over powerplay, the decisive phase was India’s 32/4: runs arrived, but so did regular wickets. Japan’s bowlers repeatedly checked momentum, preventing any one batter from batting through. India’s best stand was only 18, between Tilak Varma and Shreyas Iyer, and the innings never found a second gear beyond that partnership.
Iyer, Sundar and Hara-Hinze
Iyer top-scored with 16 off 12 at 133.33, giving India a workable base after early setbacks, while Sanju Samson’s 9 off 7 added urgency. For Japan, Charlie Hara-Hinze led the fight with 2/17 in two overs, and Ito-Davis chipped in with 1/2 from his over. Ultimately, Sundar’s 2/13 across two overs earned him MVP in a match decided by the smallest margin.
Japan’s chase stays alive
Japan’s reply mirrored India’s: steady scoring, interrupted by wickets. Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming anchored the pursuit with 12 off 12, and his 18-run partnership with Benjamin Ito-Davis briefly stabilised the chase and kept the equation manageable. But with no middle or death overs to reset, each dismissal amplified pressure, and India’s bowlers held their lengths to force Japan into a near-perfect finish they couldn’t quite produce.
AFAfghanistan
94/10
INIndia
221/7
AFAfghanistan
159/8
INIndia
163/3
AFAfghanistan
156/8
INIndia
157/3
ZIZimbabwe
157/7
INIndia
192/5
ZIZimbabwe
129/10
INIndia
219/5
ZIZimbabwe
125/7
INIndia
126/3
ENEngland
257/3
INIndia
201/8
ENEngland
159/1
INIndia
158/7
ENEngland
201/7
INIndia
76/10
ENEngland
191/6
INIndia
190/7
