Japan misses the bullet train to cricketing history by two runs

By K.R. Nayar

Though India won their only T20 International match at Sano by a nail-biting two runs, it was a morale-boosting defeat for Japan, who took on the giants of world cricket. It was a match reduced to five overs per side following a delayed start due to a wet outfield. But that did not dampen the excitement as Japan turned the match into a thriller and got Team India to sweat for their win. 

The fact that Japan tightened India to only 32 for 4 in five overs in their first big match is itself a huge honour. Japan did lose the match, but they walked off holding their heads high, winning the respect of a cricket giant and catching the attention of the cricketing world. 

Had Japan won, it would have been labelled a historic upset. Those who tuned in late and saw the scoreboard reading 14 for 3 would not, in their wildest dreams, have imagined it to be India’s score.

For India, it was another victory, but for Japan, it was a cricketing fairy tale that they can recall and draw inspiration from. The end result did not go the Japanese way, but by giving the reigning T20 World Cup champions a scare in their first men’s international against a Full Member, it will bolster their determination to work harder. They made India work hard to earn every run.

Their belief was simple: doing the impossible is possible. In fact, the Japanese concept of Ikigai is about finding purpose, persistence and meaning in the journey. For 17-year-old left-arm spinner Charlie Hara-Hinze, who removed Abhishek Sharma for a duck and ended with two wickets, this will remain a sweet 17 memory. The Japanese spinners showed that India’s celebrated batting line-up can be put under pressure. They bowled with purpose, discipline and imagination. It was nothing but the Japanese no-fear approach, even though they were bowling to batters from whom they may have collected autographs.

India captain Shreyas Iyer receives a special memento from Japan Cricket Association 

Japan ensured it was not a match to exchange pleasantries, bow politely and admire the Indian stars. They played this match riding on determination even though heavy rain had disrupted their preparations, and cancelled their pre-match training session. Despite the long wait for the match to begin, their enthusiasm did not dim. Captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming’s brave 12 runs were equivalent to a century, as they were scored with courage. The fact that the Indians had to appeal against a wide call from the umpire and get it rectified reveals how hard they had to fight to win.

Japan showed that an emerging cricket nation can turn into a competitive one. They don’t have a cricketing ecosystem as enormous as India’s, but they showed they can knock powerfully at the doors of victory.

During the five overs, Team India was forced to look like eleven cricketers trying to survive rather than the giants of world cricket. The Japanese did not give India an easy day. As a budding cricketing nation, they have now realised the value of two runs in cricket. They have missed history by two runs.

Had India lost, they would have been forced to explain how those 32 runs suddenly became Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest peak. Japan brought their samurai spirit to the cricket field. When India was trying to defend their score of 32, they were actually working hard to defend India’s reputation too. Japan lost by two runs, but they gained a thousand believers by coming within touching distance of a cricketing miracle.