Sano, September 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Japan captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming said his team could take immense pride from pushing two-time world champions India to the final ball despite suffering a narrow two-run defeat in their historic T20I clash at the Sano International Cricket Ground.
Kadowaki-Fleming said the closeness of the contest made the defeat difficult to take, but praised Japan’s effort against one of the strongest teams in international cricket.
“When it gets that close, it’s actually a little bit tougher to take, and the emotions are running pretty high in our group. But the fact that we were able to run the best team in the world, in my opinion, to the last ball of a game is pretty special,” he said.
He also described it as surreal to hear India batter Shreyas Iyer speak about the progression of Japan cricket and thanked everyone involved in making the match possible, including title sponsor Suzuki, the BCCI, the Japan Cricket Association (JCA), volunteers and Japan’s women’s team.
Japan were restricted to 32/4 by India after a delayed start, but Kadowaki-Fleming said his side entered the chase believing an upset was possible.
“They’ve got some world-class spinners, Axar, Washington and Ravi Bishnoi bowling on our spinning wicket. We knew it was going to be an extreme challenge, but at six and a half an over your mind does sort of wander and think you get a couple out of the middle and you never know,” he said.
India eventually defended 33 to win by two runs, securing their 200th T20I victory, including Super Over wins.
Kadowaki-Fleming praised Japan’s bowling attack, particularly 17-year-old Charlie Hinze, who returned figures of 2/17. He also lauded Ito-Davis and Takahashi for bowling against some of the world’s leading players of spin.
Looking ahead to the Asian Games, Kadowaki-Fleming said Japan were already targeting a place in the knockout stages and potentially a medal.
Japan have a short turnaround before their next match against another Full Member side. “Obviously if we win one of our next two matches, we’re a chance to play another full member in the knockouts. So that’s definitely the goal,” he said.
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