India won the historic first-ever T20I against Japan by 2 runs in a 5 overs-per-side encounter.
The game was reduced to 5 overs per side and saw India winning the toss and choosing to bat first. However, Japanese bowlers shocked the three-time T20 World Cup champions as Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a golden duck, Sanju Samson made 9 runs, and Ishan Kishan fell for 3 runs.
Only Shreyas Iyer’s 16 runs helped India post 32/4 in 5 overs. Charlie Hara-Hinze picked two wickets.
Japan captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming top-scored with 12 runs, but excellent bowling by India kept them to 30/3 in 5 overs and won the game by 2 runs. Washington Sundar picked two wickets in his two overs.
Chasing, Japan managed to come very close, requiring just six runs in the last four balls, to achieve one of the biggest upsets against a nearly full-strength, triple T20 World Championship-winning team.
Axar Patel bowled a ball towards the leg stump, where Alexander Shirai-Patmore attempted to play a reverse sweep but failed to do so, which resulted in the ball being declared a wide by the on-field umpire.
However, Axar was not happy with this and made some comments towards the umpire, after which Shreyas intervened and took the two umpires to the side for a discussion, following which the wide call was reversed.
However, this protest by Indian players, especially Axar and Shreyas, has not gone down well with fans and observers online. Many called out the Indian team for a tantrum and pressuring the umpires to change their decision.
Here are some reactions: