New Delhi, Sept. 22 -- Japan's Liberal Democratic Party leader and former Foreign Minister Taro Kono on Tuesday praised the Japan cricket team for putting up a strong fight against Shreyas Iyer-led India in their thrilling five-over T20I at Sano, saying he had expected the Indian side to win comfortably.

India and Japan played a thrilling, rain-shortened five-over one-off T20I, with Axar Patel defending eight runs in the final over to seal a two-run win after Japan restricted the reigning world champions to 32/4. Notably, the match was held to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Speaking to ANI, Taro Kono said he expected India to win comfortably but was impressed by Japan's close contest. He expressed hope ...