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India’s T20I captain Shreyas Iyer was able to avoid a blot on his captaincy career after a narrow two-run win over Japan in only T20I clash of historic Suzuki Cup on September 22. The wet outfield led to a five overs per side game, Iyer won the toss and opted to bat first but India’s top-order couldn’t fire. An inform Abhishek Sharma departed for a golden duck whereas Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan registered single-digit scores. Iyer contributed with a 12-ball 16 to help visitors set a target of 33. After India managed a two-run win, Iyer admitted that the pitch at Sano International Cricket Ground, Kanto, was a difficult track to bat on.
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“Well, certainly turning square. Honestly speaking, it was a very difficult wicket to bat on. We saw the openers as well, who are used to scoring runs consistently, not able to gauge the pace of the spin, and I decided when I got in that it's important that I need to take singles and doubles and rotate the strike as much as possible,” Iyer said in the post-match presentation.
“I also interacted with the batsmen who came in with me, but it was difficult to do that as well. But honestly speaking, I just decided that I would be playing on the merit of the ball and see, plan accordingly,” he added.
Seeing how spin was tough to play on the surface, Iyer opted not to use the services of fast bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Yash Thakur. Ravi Bishnoi was expensive as he conceded 10 runs in his only over. Washington Sundar bagged a couple of wickets whereas Ishan Kishan pulled off a run out with a direct hit from the deep. Axar Patel became India's saviour as he conceded seven runs in two overs. Axar also bowled the final over and helped India avoid an embarrassing defeat against 41st-ranked Japan.
Different surface for Asian Games 2026
Before the game, India’s practice session was cancelled due to a typhoon. The five overs per side gave India an insight ahead of the Asian Games 2026 men’s competition. However, the matches will be played at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, where batting has been favoured considering the women’s competition’s matches which resulted in Harmanpreet Kaur-led India winning the gold medal.
Iyer-led India will begin their Asian Games 2026 campaign on September 28. They will face either Afghanistan, Nepal or Japan, who are placed in Group A. The second-placed team from Group A which is expected to be either Nepal or Japan will face India in the quarter-final match.
However, Japan reaching the quarterfinal ahead of Nepal will be an upset. Nepal had played in the previous two T20 World Cups. Nepal are ranked 16th with same rating points as Namibia and just ahead of Scotland and United Arab Emirates.
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