Suryakumar, bowlers come to rescue as India open T20 WC campaign on nervy start

MUMBAI: India opened their T20 World Cup campaign on a nervy start, managing to defeat Unites States of America by 29 runs after skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 84 took the co-hosts to 161 for 8 after slipping to 71-6.

After the USA elected to field first, India lost their six wickets for 77 runs, but skipper Suryakumar (84* in 49 balls, with 10 fours and four sixes) took them to 161/9 in 20 overs. In the chase, the USA lost three wickets for 13 runs, but Milind Kumar (34) and Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37) posted a fighting 58-run stand. However, after that, India took quick wickets and left the USA short of what could have been a memorable win.

In the chase of 162 runs, the USA was off to a horror start. In the second over, Mohammed Siraj drew first blood, removing Andries Gous (six in nine balls, with a four) with a sharp low catch by Tilak Varma at covers. Arshdeep Singh also got in action, removing USA captain Monank Patel for a two-ball duck, with the edge flying to Shivam Dube at mid-off, and Siraj removed Saiteja Mukkamalla for just two in seven balls, leaving USA reeling at 13/3 in 3.2 overs.

USA fought well, but India got off to a perfect start to their title defense!

9th consecutive win in the ICC Men’s T20 WC
Lowest total defended in T20Is at Wankhede

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Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Milind Kumar began a partnership for the USA, ending the powerplay at 31/3. Halfway through the chase, USA was 49/3, with Milind (28*) and Sanjay (10*) unbeaten. The USA reached the 50-run mark in 10.1 overs courtesy of a boundary by Milind, which found the thick edge and flew past the third man. Sanjay also took the aggressor route, with a six over long-on against Hardik Pandya and a four against Varun Chakravarthy.

The 58-run stand was broken by Varun, with the help of a stumping from Ishan Kishan for a run-a-ball 34, with three fours and a six. USA was 71/4 in 12 overs. At the end of 15 overs, the USA was 98/4, with Sanjay (37*) and Shubham Ranjane (14*) unbeaten.

The 16th over by Axar Patel gave India a new lease of life as he packed Sanjay (37 in 31 balls, with a four and two sixes) and Harmeet Singh (0) in two successive balls. USA was left 98/6 in 15.3 overs. The USA reached the 100-run mark in 15.5 overs. Mohammad Mohsin was dismissed by Arshdeep for just five, reducing the USA to 110/7 in 18.4 overs.

India ended the USA’s innings at 132/8, with Siraj getting Shubham (37* in 22 balls, with two fours and three sixes) on the final ball.

Earlier, India managed to post a total of 161/9 against the USA in their T20 World Cup clash, thanks to an unbeaten 84 from captain Suryakumar Yadav.

After a blistering start from the Americans, which saw Abhishek Sharma (golden duck), Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube fall cheaply, Yadav steadied the innings with crucial partnerships and a late onslaught, helping the defending champions post a competitive score.

After opting to bowl first, the USA got off to the perfect start as Ali Khan dismissed the dangerous Abhishek Sharma for a golden duck. Ishan Kishan then joined Tilak Varma, and the duo looked to steady the innings as they rebuilt.

The duo added 37 runs before Shadley van Schalkwyk turned the game on its head, removing Ishan Kishan (20 off 16 with a four and two sixes), Tilak Varma (25 off 16 with three fours and a six), and Shivam Dube for a golden duck in the final over of the powerplay. India were left in a tricky position at 46/4 at the end of the first six overs.

Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh looked to rebuild the innings, but the pair could add only 26 runs before Mohammad Mohsin dismissed Rinku Singh for just six runs in 14 deliveries during the 12th over.

During the 13th over, Harmeet Singh got the big wicket of all-rounder Hardik Pandya for single digits, pushing India into deeper trouble. The defending champion slumped to 77/6.

Axar Patel joined Suryakumar Yadav at the crease and provided much-needed stability for India. The pair added a valuable 41-run stand to push India past the three-figure mark in 15.2 overs, before Harmeet Singh struck again, claiming his second wicket by dismissing Axar Patel (14 in 11 balls, with two fours) during the 17th over.

During the 18th over, Suryakumar Yadav completed his half-century in 36 deliveries as India reached 128/7. During the 19th over, the Indian captain struck two boundaries before Shadley van Schalkwyk picked up his fourth wicket of the match by removing Arshdeep Singh for four runs. India scored 140/8 after the end of the 19th over.

During the 20th over, the Indian captain hammered 21 runs against Saurabh Netravalkar as India posted 161/9 on the board. Suryakumar Yadav remained unbeaten on 84 off 49 balls, with 10 fours and four towering sixes.

For the USA, Shadley van Schalkwyk (4/25) and Harmeet Singh (2/26) were among the wicket takers. (ANI)