Sensational Suryakumar Yadav Leads India To 29-Run Victory Over USA In T20 WC

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s impressive batting and Mohammed Siraj’s incisive first spell highlighted defending champions India’s scratchy 29-run win against the United States of America, despite a stunning top-order collapse in the opening match of the T20 World Cup on Saturday.

Suryakumar, a veteran of many battles at the Wankhede Stadium, scored an unbeaten 84 off 49 balls, combining fine rescue work with a defiant counter-attack against a surprisingly resilient USA bowling attack.

The Indian captain utilized his extensive experience at his home ground, displaying patience and discipline as the determined USA had India struggling at 77 for 6 at one point.

However, Suryakumar’s late assault, including 10 fours and four sixes after being dropped

on 15, propelled India to 161/9 after they were precariously placed at 128/7 with two overs left.

In response, the USA finished at 132/8, struggling with the bat, especially compared to their impressive bowling performance that had kept the Indians in check.

Siraj, who joined the team late Friday as a replacement for the unwell Jasprit Bumrah, bowled a fuller length akin to Test matches, taking two wickets in his first spell and finishing with figures of 3/29 in four overs. With USA at 13 for 3 within the fourth over, their chances of chasing down the target diminished.

Siraj dismissed openers Andries Gous (6) and Saiteja Mukkamalla (2), while Arshdeep Singh (2/18) removed skipper Monank Patel for a duck.

Though USA formed multiple partnerships, they never regained control of their chase. Milind Kumar (34), Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37), and Shubham Ranjane (37) made useful contributions, but they only managed to reduce the margin of defeat.

None of the USA batsmen could dominate, and Varun Chakravarthy (1/24) and Axar Patel (2/24) controlled the post-Powerplay overs, conceding just 48 runs and taking three wickets in eight overs.

Earlier, Suryakumar stood tall with a 49-ball innings, single-handedly lifting India from a disastrous 77 for six in the 13th over.

South Africa-born Shadley van Schalkwyk returned figures of 4-0-25-4 as India’s celebrated batting line-up, except Suryakumar, struggled and faced the threat of posting an under-par total.

The signs were ominous when India failed to score on the first four balls of the innings, with USA’s disciplined bowling not allowing any freedom to the batters.

Ishan Kishan (20) hit a six off the fifth ball to get going, but the first setback came when Abhishek Sharma fell for a first-ball duck in the second over.

Abhishek, the world No. 1, hit Ali Khan’s delivery straight to Sanjay Krishnamurthi at deep cover, silencing the Wankhede Stadium for the first of several times that night.

US skipper Monank set excellent fielding positions, placing fielders straighter than finer.

Tilak Varma (25) broke free, hitting a straight shot off Saurabh Netravalkar (0/65) in the third over and three fours off van Schalkwyk in the next, making it seem like India was finally settling down.

However, Ishan, after hitting Ali for a spectacular six, could not capitalise on a dropped catch and hit one straight to mid-on off van Schalkwyk in the first ball of the sixth over.

Van Schalkwyk’s luck continued when Tilak mistimed a pull shot off a short ball, which rose unexpectedly, giving catching practice to Monank Patel.

Shivam Dube (0), familiar with the Wankhede wicket, was completely outfoxed by a slow bouncer, failing to control his stroke, and the ball flew to Netravalkar at short fine leg.

Rinku Singh (6 off 14 balls) couldn’t control his first attacking stroke, hitting straight to long-on off Mohammad Mohsin (4-0-16-1). Hardik Pandya (5) fell to former Mumbai left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh (4-0-26-2), trying to clear the sweeper cover, while Axar Patel (14) sought some quick runs late in the innings.

With the responsibility of rescuing India once again falling squarely on him, Suryakumar farmed the strike skillfully, consistently connecting with his trademark shots.

Being the only Indian batter to fully understand the nature of the wicket, Suryakumar opened up in the final two overs, scoring 34 runs, including 21 in the last over from Netravalkar.

(With PTI inputs)