Chennai, Feb 13 (.) A measured half century by Saiteja Mukkamalla and a blistering knock by middle order batter Shubham Ranjane and skipper Monank Patel’s quickfire knock helped USA to a commanding total of 196 for in their Group A T20 World Cup match against Netherlands at the M A Chidambaram Stadium here tonight.
Asked to bat first, USA lost opener Shayan Jahangir (20) in the third over after hitting a pair of sixers before Monank and Mukkamalla
stitched together a fine partnership before Ranjane ensured that he stayed till the end as USA ended up with a commanding total.
It was a big total that would take some chasing from the Dutch team, which has a good batting lineup.
USA lost Jahangir early on but Saiteja Mukkamalla, back in the side at No. 3, played superbly for his 79 off 51 balls (5×4, 4×6),
reaching his half century with a big six, before inform Shubham Ranjane’s unbeaten 48 off a mere 24 balls (3×4, 2×6) propelled
them to 196 for six, despite Dutch pacerBas de Leede picking up three wickets conceding 37 runs in four overs.
USA reached 42 for one in the first five overs, ended the power play at 53-1, reached 92 for two at the halfway stage, added another
52 in the next five, before scoring 48 runs in the death overs as USA finished with a dominant score.
After the exit of Jahangir, big hitting Monank added 55 runs for the second wicket with Mukkamalla in 6.1 overs to consolidate the
innings.
Despite losing no.4 batsman Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Mukkamalla stitched together a 54-run stand for the fourth wicket in 5.5 overs
as USA eyed a total beyond 200. However, some good bowling in the death by the Dutch pacers, especially Logan van Beek, restricted
the USA total to 196 for six despite losing three wickets in the last three overs.
. GV 2055