Sano International Cricket Ground: Japan opted to spin their way through the historic clash and were firmly in control, restricting a star-studded Indian batting line-up to 32/4 in the five-over per-side contest, here at the Sano International Cricket Ground, Sano, Kanto. The hosts used just three bowlers and kept the Indian batters under constant pressure, making life difficult for the visitors.
India’s top three made just 12 runs in the innings, their lowest ever aggregate against an Associate side in 16 T20Is against Associate teams. Their top three's previous lowest was 21 runs against USA at Wankhede in 2026.
India skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and chose to bat first after a delay of nearly 2.5 hours because of a wet outfield. Sanju Samson began slowly, scoring seven off five deliveries, before Abhishek Sharma was bowled on the very first ball for a duck. Samson was caught out for nine in the next over and Ishan Kishan was caught out for three.
