LIVE | Japan Push India To Last-ball Finish In Historic One-Off T20I |First Sports With Rupha Ramani

By Firstpost

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India vs Japan was supposed to be a one-sided T20I, but Japan pushed the world champions all the way to the final ball before losing by just two runs. The historic match, held to mark 75 years of India-Japan diplomatic ties, also ended in a controversial wide call that was reversed in the final over. Rupha Ramani looks at Japan’s remarkable fight, the huge gap between the two cricketing ecosystems and why this was far more than just a friendly. Kylian Mbappé is already making his Ballon d’Or case, despite Real Madrid ending the season without a major trophy. From his huge individual numbers to his repeated belief that he deserves the award, and now his promise to dedicate it to Africa, Mbappé’s campaign raises an interesting question about identity and influence in a global vote. With 100 journalists deciding the Ballon d’Or, how much can a player’s public image, roots and connections matter? Rupha Ramani breaks down Mbappé’s case, the voting system and the Africa angle. Also on the

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