T20 World Cup: Suryakumar Yadav special helps India avoid opening-day gloom vs USA
T20 World Cup: Skipper Suryakumar Yadav's special unbeaten 84 helped India avoid opening-day gloom as the defending champions began their title defence with a nervy 29-run win over the USA at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, February 7.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav washed away opening-day nerves with an unbeaten 84 built on patience and courage, steering India through an uneasy evening as the defending champions began their title defence with a hard-fought 29-run victory over the USA at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, February 7.
The bowlers ensured his effort did not go unrewarded. Mohammad Siraj (2/29) struck early, Arshdeep Singh (2/18) held his nerve at the death, and Axar Patel (2/24) tightened the screws through the middle overs as the USA were restricted to 132 for 8. It was not India at their most commanding, but they found a way to get the job done.
IND vs USA T20 World Cup: Updates | Scorecard
When the USA asked the tournament favourites to bat first, the talk quickly shifted to the possibility of a big total on a traditionally batting-friendly Wankhede surface. The expectation was understandable. India have crossed 250 three times since the last World Cup, and with a small ground, a true pitch and an associate opponent, conditions appeared ideal for a run-heavy contest.
Instead, the night unfolded very differently. There was no sense of inevitability and no comfortable passage through the middle overs. Uncertainty crept in early and lingered. One by one, established names walked back, some in haste and others in frustration, leaving their captain to shoulder the responsibility almost alone. Drawing on his experience at his home ground, Suryakumar chose discipline over desperation even as a spirited USA side had India reeling at 77 for 6.
Dropped on 15, Suryakumar eventually broke free with a late surge that featured 10 fours and four sixes, lifting India from 128 for 7 after 18 overs to a fighting 161 for 9, a total that proved just enough once the bowlers took control.
SHADLEY STUNS HOSTS IN PP
USA sensed vulnerability from the first over and responded with composure well beyond their status. Shadley van Schalkwyk, bowling with control and confidence, set the tone with a spell that exposed India's discomfort on a surface offering uneven bounce and little rhythm. His figures told only part of the story; more telling was how often Indian batters were forced into indecision, prodding, and second-guessing.
India's opening moments hinted at the struggle to come. The first four deliveries passed without a run as the batters were pinned down by tight lines and fields that denied easy singles. Ishan Kishan briefly lifted the mood with a six, but the release was fleeting and did little to settle nerves.
Abhishek Sharma fell first ball of the second over, driving Ali Khan straight to deep cover. The early wicket brought a hush over the Wankhede, replaced by a growing unease. USA captain Monank Patel responded by tightening the screws, keeping his fields straight and compact, forcing Indian batters to manufacture shots rather than play naturally.
Tilak Varma attempted to shift the tempo. He danced down the pitch to Saurabh Netravalkar and then found his timing against van Schalkwyk, threading a few boundaries through the infield. For a brief passage, it appeared India had found a foothold. The moment, however, passed quickly.
Kishan, after striking another clean six, squandered a reprieve and picked out mid-on first ball of the sixth over. Van Schalkwyk struck again soon after, as Tilak mistimed a pull off a short ball that climbed awkwardly, offering a straightforward catch. Shivam Dube followed without scoring, deceived by a slower bouncer that took away both balance and intent.
From there, the innings unravelled steadily. Rinku Singh struggled to find fluency and holed out to long-on. Hardik Pandya failed to clear the sweeper at cover. Axar Patel's late attempt to force the pace only extended the list of departures. At every turn, the USA appeared calmer, sharper and increasingly assured, feeding off India's uncertainty.
SKY CARRIES ON HIS RESCUE ACT
Suryakumar's 49-ball knock, stitched together with 10 fours and four sixes, was less about freedom and more about survival. When India slumped to 77 for six in the 13th over, the prospect of even a competitive total looked distant. By the time the innings closed at 161 for nine, it was clear the number existed largely because one man refused to surrender for the evening.
Through it all, Suryakumar recalibrated. He farmed the strike carefully, accepted periods of quiet, and trusted his reading of the pitch. While wickets fell around him, he focused on staying present, nudging singles and waiting for bowlers to stray.
When he was put down early in his innings, it felt like a moment that might linger. USA's evening, so tightly controlled until then, began to fray. Injuries to Ali Khan and Shubham Ranjane disrupted their plans, forcing reshuffles that Suryakumar was quick to identify and exploit. Netravalkar, already enduring a difficult return to his home ground, bore the brunt as Suryakumar began to open his shoulders.
The USA would rue the missed chance. Ranjane, who had once played under Suryakumar's captaincy in India, dropped him on 15. Ali Khan was forced off injured after two economical overs, and Ranjane later followed. The control they had exerted slipped just enough for Suryakumar to seize the moment.
Sensing the shift, he finally broke free in the closing overs. The last two overs yielded 34 runs, including a final over that swung the mood of the innings just enough. It did not disguise the collapse that preceded it, but it gave India something tangible to defend.
For a while, it felt like India had left the door ajar. A below-par 161 for 9 sat uneasily on the board, the kind of total that asks questions rather than offering comfort. But when the bowlers took over on Saturday night, those doubts began to fade, ball by ball, wicket by wicket.
ARSHDEEP, SIRAJ STRIKE BACK
USA, in reply, were restricted to 132 for 8, a subdued batting effort that contrasted sharply with their discipline in the first innings when their bowlers kept India on a tight leash and backed it up in the field.
India set the tone immediately. Arshdeep Singh delivered a probing opening over that conceded just a single run, building quiet pressure from the outset. At the other end, Mohammed Siraj, returning to T20Is after last playing in 2024 and drafted in at short notice, struck in his first over by removing Andries Gous. Arshdeep soon found reward as well, a leading edge from captain Monank Patel floating to mid-off. Siraj followed up by dismissing Saiteja Mukkamalla, and within four overs the USA were reeling at 13 for 3.
There was brief resistance from Milind Kumar and Sanjay Krishnamurthi, who ran hard, trusted their defence and stitched together the USA's most meaningful partnership of the night. For a short while, the chase steadied. India responded with patience rather than panic, turning to spin to slow the tempo and maintain control.
The stand ended in confusion. Varun Chakravarthy beat Milind's inside edge as the batter stepped out, and although Ishan Kishan initially fumbled, he recovered to complete the stumping. The 58-run partnership was broken, and much of the USA's momentum went with it.
From there, India tightened their grip. Axar Patel removed the set Krishnamurthi for 37, drawing a mis-hit that Rinku Singh safely held at deep mid-wicket. The very next ball, Harmeet Singh attempted to force the pace and holed out, giving Axar two wickets in two deliveries.
Milind Kumar (34), Shubham Ranjane (37) and Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37) fought with resolve, but none could dominate for long. Once Varun Chakravarthy (1/24) and Axar Patel (2/24) took charge after the Powerplay, conceding just 48 runs and picking up three wickets in eight overs, the chase never truly recovered.
Siraj, who replaced an indisposed Jasprit Bumrah after joining the squad late on Friday, finished with 3 for 29 from four overs, his fuller length proving decisive early. Having slipped to 13 for 3 inside the fourth over, the USA were always playing catch-up, and their fight gradually petered out.
India left the Wankhede having navigated a tricky evening, aware that sterner tests await when they face Namibia on Thursday, February 12, at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium.
T20 World Cup | T20 World Cup Schedule | T20 World Cup Points Table | T20 World Cup Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav washed away opening-day nerves with an unbeaten 84 built on patience and courage, steering India through an uneasy evening as the defending champions began their title defence with a hard-fought 29-run victory over the USA at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, February 7.
The bowlers ensured his effort did not go unrewarded. Mohammad Siraj (2/29) struck early, Arshdeep Singh (2/18) held his nerve at the death, and Axar Patel (2/24) tightened the screws through the middle overs as the USA were restricted to 132 for 8. It was not India at their most commanding, but they found a way to get the job done.
IND vs USA T20 World Cup: Updates | Scorecard
When the USA asked the tournament favourites to bat first, the talk quickly shifted to the possibility of a big total on a traditionally batting-friendly Wankhede surface. The expectation was understandable. India have crossed 250 three times since the last World Cup, and with a small ground, a true pitch and an associate opponent, conditions appeared ideal for a run-heavy contest.
Instead, the night unfolded very differently. There was no sense of inevitability and no comfortable passage through the middle overs. Uncertainty crept in early and lingered. One by one, established names walked back, some in haste and others in frustration, leaving their captain to shoulder the responsibility almost alone. Drawing on his experience at his home ground, Suryakumar chose discipline over desperation even as a spirited USA side had India reeling at 77 for 6.
Dropped on 15, Suryakumar eventually broke free with a late surge that featured 10 fours and four sixes, lifting India from 128 for 7 after 18 overs to a fighting 161 for 9, a total that proved just enough once the bowlers took control.
SHADLEY STUNS HOSTS IN PP
USA sensed vulnerability from the first over and responded with composure well beyond their status. Shadley van Schalkwyk, bowling with control and confidence, set the tone with a spell that exposed India's discomfort on a surface offering uneven bounce and little rhythm. His figures told only part of the story; more telling was how often Indian batters were forced into indecision, prodding, and second-guessing.
India's opening moments hinted at the struggle to come. The first four deliveries passed without a run as the batters were pinned down by tight lines and fields that denied easy singles. Ishan Kishan briefly lifted the mood with a six, but the release was fleeting and did little to settle nerves.
Abhishek Sharma fell first ball of the second over, driving Ali Khan straight to deep cover. The early wicket brought a hush over the Wankhede, replaced by a growing unease. USA captain Monank Patel responded by tightening the screws, keeping his fields straight and compact, forcing Indian batters to manufacture shots rather than play naturally.
Tilak Varma attempted to shift the tempo. He danced down the pitch to Saurabh Netravalkar and then found his timing against van Schalkwyk, threading a few boundaries through the infield. For a brief passage, it appeared India had found a foothold. The moment, however, passed quickly.
Kishan, after striking another clean six, squandered a reprieve and picked out mid-on first ball of the sixth over. Van Schalkwyk struck again soon after, as Tilak mistimed a pull off a short ball that climbed awkwardly, offering a straightforward catch. Shivam Dube followed without scoring, deceived by a slower bouncer that took away both balance and intent.
From there, the innings unravelled steadily. Rinku Singh struggled to find fluency and holed out to long-on. Hardik Pandya failed to clear the sweeper at cover. Axar Patel's late attempt to force the pace only extended the list of departures. At every turn, the USA appeared calmer, sharper and increasingly assured, feeding off India's uncertainty.
SKY CARRIES ON HIS RESCUE ACT
Suryakumar's 49-ball knock, stitched together with 10 fours and four sixes, was less about freedom and more about survival. When India slumped to 77 for six in the 13th over, the prospect of even a competitive total looked distant. By the time the innings closed at 161 for nine, it was clear the number existed largely because one man refused to surrender for the evening.
Through it all, Suryakumar recalibrated. He farmed the strike carefully, accepted periods of quiet, and trusted his reading of the pitch. While wickets fell around him, he focused on staying present, nudging singles and waiting for bowlers to stray.
When he was put down early in his innings, it felt like a moment that might linger. USA's evening, so tightly controlled until then, began to fray. Injuries to Ali Khan and Shubham Ranjane disrupted their plans, forcing reshuffles that Suryakumar was quick to identify and exploit. Netravalkar, already enduring a difficult return to his home ground, bore the brunt as Suryakumar began to open his shoulders.
The USA would rue the missed chance. Ranjane, who had once played under Suryakumar's captaincy in India, dropped him on 15. Ali Khan was forced off injured after two economical overs, and Ranjane later followed. The control they had exerted slipped just enough for Suryakumar to seize the moment.
Sensing the shift, he finally broke free in the closing overs. The last two overs yielded 34 runs, including a final over that swung the mood of the innings just enough. It did not disguise the collapse that preceded it, but it gave India something tangible to defend.
For a while, it felt like India had left the door ajar. A below-par 161 for 9 sat uneasily on the board, the kind of total that asks questions rather than offering comfort. But when the bowlers took over on Saturday night, those doubts began to fade, ball by ball, wicket by wicket.
ARSHDEEP, SIRAJ STRIKE BACK
USA, in reply, were restricted to 132 for 8, a subdued batting effort that contrasted sharply with their discipline in the first innings when their bowlers kept India on a tight leash and backed it up in the field.
India set the tone immediately. Arshdeep Singh delivered a probing opening over that conceded just a single run, building quiet pressure from the outset. At the other end, Mohammed Siraj, returning to T20Is after last playing in 2024 and drafted in at short notice, struck in his first over by removing Andries Gous. Arshdeep soon found reward as well, a leading edge from captain Monank Patel floating to mid-off. Siraj followed up by dismissing Saiteja Mukkamalla, and within four overs the USA were reeling at 13 for 3.
There was brief resistance from Milind Kumar and Sanjay Krishnamurthi, who ran hard, trusted their defence and stitched together the USA's most meaningful partnership of the night. For a short while, the chase steadied. India responded with patience rather than panic, turning to spin to slow the tempo and maintain control.
The stand ended in confusion. Varun Chakravarthy beat Milind's inside edge as the batter stepped out, and although Ishan Kishan initially fumbled, he recovered to complete the stumping. The 58-run partnership was broken, and much of the USA's momentum went with it.
From there, India tightened their grip. Axar Patel removed the set Krishnamurthi for 37, drawing a mis-hit that Rinku Singh safely held at deep mid-wicket. The very next ball, Harmeet Singh attempted to force the pace and holed out, giving Axar two wickets in two deliveries.
Milind Kumar (34), Shubham Ranjane (37) and Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37) fought with resolve, but none could dominate for long. Once Varun Chakravarthy (1/24) and Axar Patel (2/24) took charge after the Powerplay, conceding just 48 runs and picking up three wickets in eight overs, the chase never truly recovered.
Siraj, who replaced an indisposed Jasprit Bumrah after joining the squad late on Friday, finished with 3 for 29 from four overs, his fuller length proving decisive early. Having slipped to 13 for 3 inside the fourth over, the USA were always playing catch-up, and their fight gradually petered out.
India left the Wankhede having navigated a tricky evening, aware that sterner tests await when they face Namibia on Thursday, February 12, at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium.
T20 World Cup | T20 World Cup Schedule | T20 World Cup Points Table | T20 World Cup Videos | Cricket News | Live Score