Suryakumar’s unbeaten 84 rescues India from USA scare
India posted 161-9 after being put in to bat but were reduced to 77-6 at one stage, raising the prospect of one of the biggest shocks in T20 World Cup history.
Suryakumar Yadav anchored the innings with an unbeaten 84 off 49 balls, accelerating late and striking 20 runs in the final over. He had earlier been dropped on 15, a moment that proved decisive.
For the United States, Shadley van Schalkwyk returned figures of 4-25 as India struggled in the powerplay and middle overs. The USA seamers consistently mixed pace to trouble the defending champions.
In response, early wickets from Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh reduced the USA to 13-3, putting them on the back foot in the chase. The Americans eventually closed on 132-8, with Shubham Ranjane and Krishnamurthi both scoring 37.
Suryakumar finished with 10 more runs than the rest of India’s batting combined, underlining the significance of his innings as the co-hosts set the early pace in Group A.
