Cricket / India Beat USA by 29 Runs in T20 World Cup Opener
Key Points
- India posted 161/9, led by Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 84.
- USA bowlers impressed, with van Schalkwyk taking 4-25.
- USA managed 132/8, falling short by 29 runs.
- India began their title defence with a strong opening win.
Mumbai, Feb 7: India began their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a 29-run victory over the United States at the Wankhede Stadium, thanks to a captain’s knock from Suryakumar Yadav and disciplined bowling in the second innings.
Opting to bowl first, USA struck early blows, dismissing Abhishek Sharma for a first-ball duck and Ishan Kishan for 20. Tilak Varma added a fluent 25, but wickets continued to tumble as India struggled to build momentum. It was Suryakumar Yadav who held the innings together, smashing an unbeaten 84 off 49 balls, including boundaries that lifted India to 161/9 in 20 overs. Shadley van Schalkwyk was the standout bowler for USA, returning figures of 4-25.
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✨Chasing 162, USA faltered against India’s spin and pace attack. Despite useful contributions from Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Shubham Ranjane, who scored 37 each, the American side could only manage 132/8 in their 20 overs. Axar Patel and Mohammed Siraj struck crucial blows, while India’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings.
The win underlined India’s depth and resilience, with Yadav’s innings earning him the Player of the Match award. For USA, the spirited bowling effort was undone by a lack of batting partnerships. The result also reinforced India’s status as defending champions, aiming to become the first team to retain the T20 World Cup title after their triumph in 2024.
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