T20 World Cup, IND vs USA: Siraj’s three-wicket haul powers India to 29-run win over USA

India held their nerve to secure a 29-run victory over the USA in their T20 World Cup opener, successfully defending 161 as the USA were bowled out for 132. The win was powered by a captain’s knock from Suryakumar Yadav and a clinical bowling performance led by Mohammed Siraj, who stepped in as a late replacement for the ill Jasprit Bumrah.

India made an excellent start with the ball, keeping the USA under pressure throughout the first half of the chase. Arshdeep Singh struck early, while Siraj rocked the top order with two quick wickets in the powerplay to leave the USA in early trouble. Varun Chakaravarthy then delivered a key breakthrough in the middle overs, dismissing Milind Kumar with a smart stumping by Ishan Kishan.

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Despite a few boundaries from Milind Kumar and Sanjay Krishnamurthi, India’s spinners tightened the screws, conceding very few runs between overs 7 and 12. Hardik Pandya leaked some runs, but overall India maintained control, with Axar Patel and Chakaravarthy keeping things tight.

At the end of 15 overs, the USA were 98/4, with Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Shubham Ranjane attempting to rebuild as India remained firmly in control of the chase.

Earlier, India endured a dramatic start with the bat, losing wickets in a heap during the powerplay. Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a duck early, while Ishan Kishan provided some momentum with 20 off 16 balls before falling in the sixth over. Tilak Varma (25 off 16) and Shivam Dube (duck) also perished in quick succession, leaving India reeling at 46/4 as the USA bowlers dominated the early phase.

Suryakumar Yadav then anchored the recovery alongside Rinku Singh, but Rinku struggled for fluency and was dismissed for 6 off 13. Hardik Pandya made a brief cameo before departing for 5, as India slipped to 94/6 by the 15th over. Axar Patel added valuable late runs with a quick 14 off 10, while Arshdeep Singh chipped in with a boundary before falling late.

SKY carried the innings with a captain’s knock, accelerating in the death overs with a flurry of boundaries and sixes. He smashed 84 off 49 balls, including a blistering final over, to drag India to a competitive 161/9 in 20 overs after they had been reduced to 46/4 in the powerplay.