India vs Japan T20I: Axar Patel’s wide call explained as fan debate decision

A late decision involving Axar Patel was the theme of India’s two-run win over Japan in the rain-shortened T20I at San on Tuesday. The call was originally made against India before the on-field umpires’ decision, turning it into a dead-ball decision, leaving fans divided as to whether the reversal was justified.

Japan needed eight runs from the final India managed only 32/4 in their five overs. Axar, already using an economical spell, delivered the third ball towards leg-side to Alexander Shirai-Patmore, who tried to reverse and missed.

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On-field umpire Chris Thurgate signaled Wide, which would have reduced Japan’s requirement to seven from three balls. India captain Shreyas Iyer immediately headed to umpire Chris Brown to discuss the call before the two officials spoke to each other.

Then the decision was changed. The delivery was ruled a legal ball and the next run was removed, leaving Japan needing eight from three. Axar conceded just four more runs from the remaining three deliveries and India held on to win by two runs. The match did not have a TV referee, Brown and Thurgate were the two referees on the pitch.

Naturally, the moment drew mixed reactions as every serve carried huge weight in the five-a-side match. As Japan finished on 30/3, one run removed from the original wide call became particularly significant.

WHAT DOES THE RULE SAY?

The current ICC Men’s T20I Rules of the Game includes a change in how wides are judged in white-ball cricket. As of the 2025 update, the position of the batter’s leg at the point of delivery is used as a reference when judging width, even if the batter subsequently moves across the crease.

This is important when a batter attempts shots such as a backswing or a switch hit. A batter moving across the crease does not automatically mean the delivery is legal. The umpire must consider the position of the batsman at the relevant point and whether the ball passes beyond the relevant reference line.

The broad law also states that a delivery should not be called wide if it is sufficiently within the striker’s reach to be played with a normal cricket stroke. A pass passing beyond the attacker’s reach may be called wide, subject to the conditions set out in the game conditions.

There is also a provision for the referee to quickly correct his decision. Playing conditions allow the umpires to consult and decisions can be changed during this time. The umpire may also call a dead ball when leaving his normal position and consult with the second umpire.

In this case, the exact discussion of the judges has not been published. Therefore, the available footage and the final decision alone do not accurately determine why the original broad appeal was dropped. However, the rules allow for both consultation and quick correction of decisions.

INDIA SURVIVES JAPAN’S HORROR

The controversy came at the end of what had already turned into a much tighter match than expected. Rain delayed the start and reduced the game to five overs a side, while the moisture under the surface helped Japan’s spinners get considerable turnover.

Charlie Hara-Hinze, Ibrahim Takahashi and Benjamin Ito-Davis combined to restrict India’s star-studded batting line-up to 32/4. Shreyas Iyer top-scored with 16 as the Japanese bowlers repeatedly found the Indian batsmen struggling to play across the line.

Japan then threatened to start one of the biggest riots of the day. Washington Sundar conceded just five in the final over before Axar finished the job, with India escaping by two runs.

The result came shortly after the Indian women’s team won the gold medal at the Asian Games in Nagoya, defeating Sri Lanka by 147 runs to successfully defend the title they won in Hangzhou in 2023. India posted 216/3 led by Smriti Mandhan’s 79 before Sri Lanka made 69.

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Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

22 Sep 2026 18:01 IST