Captain Suryakumar Yadav smashed an unbeaten 84 as India posted 161 and then bowled out USA for 132 in a dominant all-round display.
Mumbai: Skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s rescue act and disciplined bowling were the highlights as India got out of jail to beat USA in their T20 World Cup opener and lock two points from the topsy-turvy game at the Wankhede Stadium here on Saturday night.
After the team drifted into troubled waters, Surya steadied the rocking boat with a solid 84 that came off 49 balls and contained 10 fours and four hits that sailed over the boundary. The knock took India to a decent 161 for 9 and gave the bowlers enough to defend. USA put up a brief fight via a 58-run stand for the fourth wicket between Milind Kumar (34) and Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37) but that was about it. They eventually managed 132 for 8 to hand the hosts a 29-run win.
Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, who was drafted into the playing XI in place of an ill Jasprit Bumrah, took 3 for 29. He was ably supported by Arshdeep Singh (2/18) and Axar Patel (2/24).
Earlier, overconfident India slipped to an embarrassing 77 for 6 in the 13th over when Surya stepped up to repair the damage. He first put on a 41-run stand for the seventh wicket with No. 8 Axar Patel (14), followed by 22 for the eighth with Arshdeep Singh (4) and a further 21 with Varun Chakravarthy (0) to lend the Indian total some respectability.
Sky was innovative in the death overs as he unpacked unorthodox shots, often losing his balance and falling to the ground but achieving the desired results as the ball either raced to the boundary or sailed over it.
Surya made the most of a dropped chance when he was on 15 ‑ medium pacer Ranjane could not hold on to a return catch in his follow-through with the Indian score reading 63 for 4 in the 10th over.
Complacency had crept into the star batting line-up with big names registering small scores, including two golden ducks by destructive opener Abhishek Sharma and hard-hitter Shivam Dube.
It was Shadley van Shalkwyk who threw the spanner in India’s works. The fast bowler sent down a stunning sixth over in which he claimed the wickets of Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and Dube while conceding just two runs to leave the hosts aghast with a disappointing 46 for 4 at the end of Powerplay. Ishan hit one to Milind Kumar at mid-off after making 20; tucked up Tilak (25) ballooned a catch to Monank Patel at mid-wicket and Dube top-edged a catch to Saurabh Netravalkar at short fine-leg.
USA began well after winning the toss and putting India in. They managed to keep the scoring rate in check as pacers Saurabh Netravalkar and Ali Khan proved a potent opening attack before Shalkwyk turned the screw with figures of 4 for 25.
Coming in at the fall of Abhishek in the second over, Tilak looked set for a good score. He jumped out to thump Netravalkar into the sight screen then glanced him for a boundary. The Hyderabadi was let off on 23 when Shalkwyk spilled a difficult chance in his follow-through as the batsman unleashed a full-blooded shot.
Live Updates
- 7 Feb 2026 10:30 PM IST
India strengthened their hold on the match with another crucial breakthrough as Mohammad Mohsin was dismissed for 8, caught by Tilak Varma off Arshdeep Singh. At 17.4 overs, the United States of America were 110 for 7, needing 52 runs from 14 balls with the required run rate soaring to 22.29.
Shubham Ranjane is battling on 18 off 13 balls with a four and a six, but support has been minimal as wickets continue to fall at regular intervals. The latest partnership has added just 12 runs from 13 balls.
Arshdeep Singh has led India’s bowling attack brilliantly, picking up 2 wickets for 17 runs, while Hardik Pandya has bowled three overs for 24 runs without a wicket.
In the last five overs, the USA managed only 34 runs while losing three wickets, leaving them with an almost impossible task in the final moments of the chase.
- 7 Feb 2026 10:22 PM IST
India tightened their grip on the match as the United States of America slumped to 99 for 6 in 15.4 overs in their chase of 161. The latest blow came when Harmeet Singh was dismissed for a duck, caught by Mohammed Siraj off Axar Patel, reducing the USA to 98 for 6.
Shubham Ranjane is trying to revive the chase with 14 off 9 balls, while Mohammad Mohsin has just arrived at the crease with 1 from 1 delivery. However, the task remains steep with 63 runs needed from 26 balls at a required run rate of 14.54.
Axar Patel has been effective with the ball, picking up 2 wickets for 23 runs, while Varun Chakaravarthy has also chipped in with a wicket as India continued to apply pressure. In the last five overs, the USA scored 44 runs but lost three wickets, pushing the game firmly in India’s favour.
- 7 Feb 2026 10:07 PM IST
India struck at a crucial moment in the T20 World Cup 2026 match against the United States of America with Milind Kumar stumped for 34, giving Varun Chakaravarthy a key breakthrough. At 12.4 overs, the USA were 76 for 4, needing 86 runs from 44 balls with the required run rate climbing to 11.73.
Sanjay Krishnamurthi is batting on 25 from 22 balls, while Shubham Ranjane has just arrived and struck a boundary to move to 4 off 2 balls, as the USA look for quick runs after the partnership was broken.
Varun Chakaravarthy has been effective in the middle overs, conceding just 15 runs in three overs and picking up one wicket. Hardik Pandya bowled a costly spell, giving away 18 runs in 1.4 overs, but India still maintained control of the chase.
In the last five overs, the USA scored 38 runs but lost one wicket, with India tightening their grip as the asking rate continued to rise.
- 7 Feb 2026 10:01 PM IST
The United States of America made some progress in their chase of 161 against India, moving to 70 for 3 in 11.4 overs in the T20 World Cup 2026 match. However, the task remains stiff with 92 runs needed from 50 balls and the required run rate holding above 11 an over.
Sanjay Krishnamurthi is leading the counter-attack with 23 off 19 balls, including a four and a six, while Milind Kumar is batting steadily on 34 from 33 deliveries with three fours and a six. The pair have added 57 runs from 50 balls for the fourth wicket, giving the USA some hope of recovery after early losses.
India’s bowlers continued to apply pressure in the middle overs, with Varun Chakaravarthy conceding just 14 runs in his 2.4 overs. Hardik Pandya was slightly expensive, giving away 13 runs in his only over.
Earlier, Saiteja Mukkamalla was dismissed for 2, caught by Varun Chakaravarthy off Mohammed Siraj, leaving the USA struggling at 13 for 3. Despite the partnership, India remain firmly on top with the asking rate steadily climbing.
- 7 Feb 2026 9:51 PM IST
The United States of America found scoring increasingly difficult in their chase of 161 against India in the T20 World Cup 2026 match, reaching 49 for 3 after 10 overs. With 113 runs needed from 60 balls, the required run rate climbed steeply to 11.3 as India dominated the middle phase.
Milind Kumar is holding one end with 28 off 28 balls, including a six, while Sanjay Krishnamurthi is batting on 10 from 14 deliveries. The pair have added 36 runs for the fourth wicket, but the partnership has come at a slow pace.
India’s spinners applied the brakes effectively, with Varun Chakaravarthy conceding just 7 runs in two overs and Axar Patel giving away 11 runs in his two overs. In the last five overs, the USA managed only 25 runs without losing a wicket, but the lack of acceleration kept them under severe pressure.
With the asking rate rising sharply, India remained firmly in control of the contest.
- 7 Feb 2026 9:45 PM IST
The United States of America continued to struggle in their chase of 161 against India in the T20 World Cup 2026 match, reaching 37 for 3 in 7.2 overs. With 125 runs needed from 76 balls, the required run rate climbed to 9.87 as India maintained firm control.
Milind Kumar is top-scoring for the USA with 19 off 17 balls, while Sanjay Krishnamurthi is batting on 7 from 9 deliveries. The pair have added 24 runs from 24 balls, but the scoring rate has remained under check.
India’s bowlers kept things tight, with Axar Patel conceding just one run in his brief spell and Varun Chakaravarthy giving away five runs in his first over. In the last five overs, the USA managed only 25 runs while losing one wicket.
Earlier, Saiteja Mukkamalla was dismissed for 2, caught by Varun Chakaravarthy off Mohammed Siraj, leaving the USA in trouble at 13 for 3 as India continued to dominate the chase.
- 7 Feb 2026 9:36 PM IST
The United States of America continued to struggle in their chase of 161 against India in the T20 World Cup 2026 match, reaching 30 for 3 in 5.5 overs. With 132 runs still needed from 85 balls, the required run rate climbed to 9.32.
Milind Kumar showed some intent with 15 off 11 balls, including two boundaries, while Sanjay Krishnamurthi is batting on 4 from 6 deliveries as the pair added 17 runs for the fourth wicket.
India’s fast bowlers kept the pressure on, with Mohammed Siraj picking up two wickets for 17 runs and Arshdeep Singh conceding just 11 runs in his three overs while claiming one wicket.
Earlier, Saiteja Mukkamalla fell for 2, caught by Varun Chakaravarthy off Siraj, leaving the USA in trouble at 13 for 3. With the scoring rate under control, India continued to dominate the early phase of the chase.
- 7 Feb 2026 9:31 PM IST
The United States of America found it difficult to gain momentum in their chase of 161 against India in the T20 World Cup 2026 match, reaching 24 for 3 after five overs. With 138 runs still required from 90 balls, the required run rate climbed to 9.2.
Milind Kumar is trying to steady the innings with 10 off 8 balls, while Sanjay Krishnamurthi has added 3 from 4 deliveries as the pair look to rebuild after early losses.
India’s pace attack set the tone in the powerplay, with Mohammed Siraj picking up two wickets for 11 runs and Arshdeep Singh claiming one for 11 from his three overs.
Earlier, Saiteja Mukkamalla was dismissed for 2, caught by Varun Chakaravarthy off Siraj, leaving the USA in trouble at 13 for 3. In the first five overs, the American side managed just 24 runs while losing three wickets, as India tightened their grip on the contest.
- 7 Feb 2026 9:23 PM IST
India tightened their hold on the match with another early wicket as Saiteja Mukkamalla was dismissed for 2, caught by Varun Chakaravarthy off Mohammed Siraj. At 3.2 overs, the United States of America were reeling at 13 for 3, needing 149 more runs to win.
Mohammed Siraj has been impressive with the ball, picking up his second wicket while conceding nine runs in his 1.2 overs. Arshdeep Singh has been equally effective from the other end, giving away just two runs in two overs and taking one wicket.
Milind Kumar is currently at the crease on 2 from 2 balls as the USA struggle to build partnerships. With the required run rate climbing to 8.94, India’s fast bowlers continued to apply relentless pressure in the powerplay.
- 7 Feb 2026 9:20 PM IST
India continued their strong start with the ball in the T20 World Cup 2026 match against the United States of America as Monank Patel was dismissed for a duck, caught by Shivam Dube off Arshdeep Singh. At 2.3 overs, the USA were 12 for 2, needing 150 more runs to win.
Saiteja Mukkamalla is unbeaten on 2 from 3 balls, while Milind Kumar has just joined him at the crease with 1 from 1 delivery. Arshdeep Singh has been outstanding, conceding just two runs in his 1.3 overs while picking up a wicket.
Earlier, Mohammed Siraj removed Andries Gous to give India the first breakthrough. With the required run rate climbing to 8.57, the pressure mounted on the American batting lineup as India’s bowlers struck early.
