India captain Suryakumar Yadav delivered a composed, match-turning unbeaten 84 to pull his side out of deep trouble and secure a 29-run victory over the United States in their T20 World Cup 2026 Group A opener at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
With pre-match talk centering on explosive batting and lofty totals on a venue known for high scores, USA captain Monank Patel won the toss and opted to bowl. The decision paid early dividends as American pacers, led by Ali Khan, dismantled India’s top order. Abhishek Sharma fell for a golden duck in the second over, and the hosts slumped to 77 for 6 after 13 overs, raising genuine concerns of an upset against the co-hosts and defending champions.
Suryakumar Yadav steadied the ship with calculated aggression, finishing unbeaten on 84 off 49 balls, studded with 10 fours and 4 sixes. His assault was particularly punishing on Saurabh Netravalkar, who conceded 65 runs in his four overs. India posted a competitive 161 for 9 in their 20 overs, a total that proved defendable as the bowlers restricted the USA to 132 for 8.
Speaking after the game, Suryakumar highlighted the crucial intervention from head coach Gautam Gambhir during the drinks break following the 14th over. With cameras capturing the moment, Gambhir—accompanied by Sanju Samson—approached his captain in the middle for a brief chat.
The skipper revealed he had already judged the pitch as one favoring around 140 runs rather than the widely expected 180-190. Gambhir reinforced that reading and offered simple, reassuring advice: “Just try and bat till the end; you can cover it any time.” The message encouraged patience and trust in his ability to accelerate when the moment arrived.
Suryakumar drew on his extensive experience playing at Wankhede and on Mumbai maidans, which helped him adapt to the gripping, two-paced surface.
He also provided squad updates: Washington Sundar, returning from injury, is slated to link up with the team in Delhi ahead of the February 12 clash against Namibia. Jasprit Bumrah was sidelined for the USA match due to a high fever possibly tied to weather conditions but is otherwise in good shape.
The victory underlined India’s resilience and Suryakumar’s leadership under pressure, setting a strong tone for their title defence.
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