Mumbai, Feb 7 (.) India rode on a spectacular innings from captain Suryakumar Yadav to a 29-run win over the United States of America in the 3rd match of Group A at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing a competitive target set by India after electing to bowl first, the USA struggled to contain the India captain, who produced a string of breathtaking shots in the death overs.
Suryakumar brought up his fifty with a perfectly timed sweep over deep backward square leg and followed it up with consecutive sixes and boundaries in the 18th and 19th overs, guiding India past the 150-run mark. His aggressive yet calculated batting not only lifted the team’s total to 161 for 9 in 20 overs but also set the tone for India’s dominance.
Suryakumar finished unbeaten at 84 from 49 deliveries, dispatching 10 crisp boundaries and 4 massive sixes in a masterful innings.
Earlier, India had a shaky start against disciplined USA bowling. Key wickets fell to van Schalkwyk and Harmeet Singh, and a golden duck from Abhishek Sharma highlighted the pressure. Yet, Suryakumar’s brilliance at the crease, supported by contributions from Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, and Arshdeep Singh, ensured India finished strongly.
In reply, the USA could only manage 132 for 8, with Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37 off 31 balls) and Shubham Ranjane (37 off 22 balls) top-scoring.
However, Mohammed Siraj (3/29), Arshdeep Singh (2 wickets), Axar Patel (2 wickets), and Varun Chakaravarthy (1 wicket) ensured the chase never gained momentum.
Suryakumar’s innings was the highlight of the match, combining audacious strokeplay with precision under pressure. From stepping down on his knee to scoop sixes over fine leg to hitting clean drives over covers and mid-wicket, he showcased why he is considered one of the world’s most innovative T20 batsmen. His performance reaffirmed India’s confidence in the captain leading from the front.
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