Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 84 guides India past USA in World Cup clash

India defeated USA by 29 runs in their T20 World Cup opener at Wankhede. Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 84 rescued India after a collapse, while Mohammed Siraj’s 3/29 ensured USA’s chase ended at 132/8

Mumbai: Skipper Suryakumar Yadav batting in his usual style and Mohammed Siraj’s incisive first spell headlined defending champions India’s scratchy 29-run win against the United States of America despite a stunning top-order collapse in the opening encounter of the T20 World Cup here on Saturday.

A veteran of many battles at the Wankhede Stadium, Suryakumar’s 49-ball unbeaten 84 was a mix of rescue act and counter-attack against a USA attack that proved to be more than just pushovers.

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The Indian captain used all his experience of playing at his home ground, reaped rewards for being patient and disciplined, as plucky USA had India at 77 for 6 at one stage in the first half.

But Suryakumar’s late onslaught, which had 10 fours and four sixes after being dropped on 15, took India to 161/9 after being 128/7 at the end of 18 overs.

USA, in reply, finished at 132/8 in a meek batting effort compared to their disciplined bowling in the first innings.

Siraj, who joined the team late Friday evening as a replacement for Jasprit Bumrah, bowled fuller lengths to take two wickets in his first spell and ended with 3/29 in 4 overs. Once USA were 13 for 3 in the fourth over, they never looked like chasing the target.

Siraj dismissed openers Andries Gous (6) and Saiteja Mukkamalla (2), while Arshdeep Singh (2/18) removed skipper Monank Patel for a duck.

From 13/3, USA stitched small partnerships but never got back on track. Milind Kumar (34), Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37) and Shubham Ranjane (37) played useful knocks which only reduced the margin of defeat.

Varun Chakravarthy (1/24) and Axar Patel (2/24) controlled the post Powerplay overs, giving away only 48 runs and taking three wickets in eight overs.

Earlier, Suryakumar stood tall with his 49-ball innings, single-handedly driving India out of trouble after a collapse saw them at 77 for 6 in the 13th over.

South Africa-born Shadley van Schalkwyk returned with 4-0-25-4 as India’s batting line-up, barring Suryakumar, endured a poor outing.

India failed to score off the first four balls of the innings as USA bowlers gave no room. Ishan Kishan (20) hit a six off the fifth ball, but Abhishek Sharma fell for a first-ball duck in the second over.

Tilak Varma (25) looked promising with boundaries off van Schalkwyk but fell soon after. Ishan too perished after hitting Ali Khan for a six.

Shivam Dube (0) was out to a slow bouncer, while Rinku Singh (6), Hardik Pandya (5) and Axar Patel (14) also failed to contribute.

With India in trouble, Suryakumar farmed the strike and connected his trademark shots. He opened up in the last two overs, collecting 34 runs, including 21 in the final over from Netravalkar.