Controversial wide call helps India beat Japan by 2 runs

India survived a major scare against Japan on Tuesday, securing a two-run victory in a rain-reduced five-over T20 match that ended with controversy over a wide decision.

Chasing 33 for victory, Japan needed eight runs from the final over after India were restricted to 32-4 in their five overs.

Spinner Axar Patel appeared to bowl a delivery down the leg side to Alexander Shirai-Patmore, prompting the umpire to signal a wide. However, after India captain Shreyas Iyer and Patel questioned the decision, the two umpires discussed the call and overturned it.

The reversal meant Japan needed six runs from three balls instead of five from four, significantly changing the equation in the closing stages.

Patel held his nerve to complete the over and India finished with a two-run victory, while Japan ended their innings on 30-3.

The decision attracted attention because the match did not have a decision review system (DRS).

Under the International Cricket Council's men's T20 international playing conditions, a delivery down the leg side can be judged according to the batter's position when attempting a reverse shot. The rules state that a ball should be called wide if it passes wide of where the batter is standing and would also have passed wide of the batter in a normal batting position.

Japan had earlier struggled to 8-2 after two overs before recovering with 17 runs across the next two overs to keep their hopes alive.

Seventeen-year-old Japan spinner Charlie Hara-Hinze was the standout bowler, taking 2-17 and dismissing India opener Abhishek Sharma with the first ball of the innings.

Iyer top-scored for India with 16 off 12 balls after his side slipped to 14-3.

The match was the first international meeting between India and Japan and was played as preparation for the men's Asian Games, which begin on September 24.