Were Japan robbed against India in T20I over wide-ball decision?

Dubai: Controversy is clouding Indian celebrations following the nations narrow victory over Japan in the men’s cricket T20 international.

With 39 places separating India and Japan in the T20 rankings, rain disruption in the final helped create a more even contest.

Batting first India put up a score of just 32, losing Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan early before captain Shreyas Iyer top-scored with 16. Their 32-4 left Japan needing just 33 to win, handing the hosts a genuine opportunity to pull off a historic upset.

And it went right to the wire, but with six runs from four balls needed for Japan, India were handed a huge decision in their favour.

Japan were initially given a wide when Axar Patel bowled down the leg side to Alexander Shirai-Patmore, which would have added an extra run to their total.

However, Patel and Sanju Samson immediately questioned the decision, with captain Shreyas Iyer also speaking to the square-leg umpire.

After the two umpires discussed the incident, they reversed the original decision, meaning the wide was taken away and Japan lost the extra run.

The decision has since sparked a huge reaction online, with fans expressing their frustration at the wide being overturned at such a crucial stage of the match.

Many questioned how an on-field decision could be reversed following discussions between the players and umpires, particularly with Japan given such a significant opportunity to cause a major upset.

According to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Laws of Cricket, an umpire can change a decision provided it is done promptly and before the ball is considered dead.

The laws also allow the two umpires to consult each other when there is uncertainty over a decision.

In this case, the wide was initially given before the umpires discussed the delivery and reversed the call, meaning Japan lost the additional run.