(From our correspondent)
Mumbai: Defending champions India opened their account in the T20 World Cup with a much-needed victory at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday. India posted 161 for 9 in 20 overs and then restricted the USA to 132 for 8, sealing a 29-run win and collecting their first two points of the tournament.
In an otherwise disappointing batting display, only captain Suryakumar Yadav stood tall for India. He played a sensational unbeaten knock of 84 off 49 balls, smashing four sixes and ten fours, and single-handedly saved India from humiliation with a memorable innings.
For the USA, Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Shubham Ranjane were the top scorers with 37 runs each, while Indian-origin batter Milind Kumar contributed 34 runs.
India’s bowlers ensured the chase never threatened them. Mohammed Siraj, playing in place of the injured Harshit Rana, made full use of the opportunity and picked up three wickets, making India’s win comfortable. Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh claimed two wickets each, while Varun took one. Hardik Pandya, however, went wicketless, conceding 34 runs.
Earlier, Suryakumar dominated India’s innings from start to finish. After completing his half-century, he shifted gears dramatically, especially in the final over, where he hammered Saurabh Netravalkar for boundaries and a six to push India to a competitive total of 161. He was seen falling to the ground multiple times after playing big shots but kept getting back up and continued in full flow.
India’s innings, however, was largely a collapse. After a steady start, the batting line-up crumbled badly, losing six wickets for 77 runs in 13 overs. Almost the entire batting unit fell to catches — in fact, eight of India’s nine wickets were lost via caught dismissals, with Varun being run out at the end.
For the USA, Shadley Van Schalkwyk was the standout bowler with four wickets, while Harmeet Singh took two. India lost four wickets inside 50 runs.
World No. 1 batter Abhishek was dismissed in the second over, falling on the very first ball he faced, caught by Krishnamurthi at deep cover off pacer Ali Khan. Ishan Kishan (20) added 38 runs with Tilak Varma (25) before getting out. Tilak and Shivam also fell in the same over bowled by Shadley, with all three dismissals coming via catches.
Later, Rinku Singh (6) was caught off Mohammed Mohsin, and soon after, Hardik Pandya also departed for just five runs, leaving Suryakumar to carry the innings almost alone.
India eventually managed to reach a defendable total, and the bowlers did the rest to secure a crucial victory.
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