Suryakumar Yadav rediscovered his match-winning form at the perfect moment, single-handedly rescuing India from a batting collapse to steer the defending champions to a hard-fought 29-run victory over USA in their T20 World Cup 2026 opener at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
The Indian captain played a masterful unbeaten knock of 84 off 49 balls, contributing over 50% of India’s total, holding the innings together as wickets tumbled around him, with India reduced to a precarious 46/4 in the powerplay and 77/6 by the 13th over.
Mohammed Siraj, selected just one day before the tournament, marked his sensational T20I return after an 18-month absence with a devastating spell of 3/29, claiming two crucial powerplay wickets.
USA’s inspired bowling performance, led by Shadley van Schalkwyk’s career-best 4/25, had India reeling before Suryakumar’s brilliance and costly dropped catches, including a regulation return catch when he was on just 15, proved the difference as India defended 161/9 to begin their title defense with a gritty victory.
Match Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs USA, Group C, 3rd Match |
| Venue | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| Toss | USA won and elected to field |
| Result | India won by 29 runs |
| Player of the Match | Suryakumar Yadav (IND) – 84*(49) |
| India Innings | 161/9 in 20 overs |
| USA Innings | 132/8 in 20 overs |
India First Innings – Suryakumar Yadav’s Heroic Rescue Act
India’s innings began in nightmarish fashion as USA’s bowlers produced an inspired powerplay performance.
Abhishek Sharma departed for a golden duck in the second over, caught at deep cover off Ali Khan (1/2) in a stunning piece of field placement.
The defending champions stumbled to 46/4 in the powerplay, their third-lowest powerplay total in home T20Is post the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Ishan Kishan (20 off 16 balls, 1 four, 2 sixes) showed brief resistance before holing out to mid-off off Shadley van Schalkwyk, while Tilak Varma (25 off 16 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) and Shivam Dube (0) fell in quick succession.
The collapse continued as Rinku Singh (6 off 14 balls) and Hardik Pandya (5 off 6 balls, 1 four) failed to provide support, leaving India teetering at 77/6 in the 13th over.
Enter Suryakumar Yadav’s masterclass. The Indian captain absorbed pressure, dropped anchor, and then unleashed an array of trademark shots.
Crucially, Shubham Ranjane dropped a straightforward return catch when Suryakumar was on 15, a moment that would haunt USA. Axar Patel (14 off 11 balls, 2 fours) provided valuable support in a 38-run partnership before falling in the 17th over.
Suryakumar saved his best for the final over, bowled by Saurabh Netravalkar, who finished with horrendous figures of 0/65, the most expensive in T20 World Cup history.
The Indian skipper plundered 21 runs from the final over: a boundary through backward point, followed by consecutive sixes over fine leg and long-off, another four through the same region, and a final six over deep mid-wicket.
His unbeaten 84 featured 6 fours and 6 sixes at a strike rate of 171.43, rescuing India to a competitive 161/9. Van Schalkwyk’s 4/25 represented USA’s best T20 World Cup bowling figures, while Mohammad Mohsin (1/16) and Harmeet Singh (2/26) also impressed.
India Innings – Key Performers
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Suryakumar Yadav | 84* runs off 49 balls (6 fours, 6 sixes) – SR: 171.43 |
| Best Batsman | Tilak Varma | 25 runs off 16 balls (3 fours, 1 six) – SR: 156.25 |
| Best Batsman | Ishan Kishan | 20 runs off 16 balls (1 four, 2 sixes) – SR: 125.00 |
| Best Bowler (USA) | Shadley van Schalkwyk | 4/25 in 4 overs – Economy: 6.25 |
| Best Bowler (USA) | Harmeet Singh | 2/26 in 4 overs – Economy: 6.50 |
| Best Bowler (USA) | Mohammad Mohsin | 1/16 in 4 overs – Economy: 4.00 |
USA Second Innings – Siraj’s Dream Return Destroys Chase
USA’s pursuit of 162 began disastrously as Mohammed Siraj (3/29) announced his T20I return in spectacular fashion after 18 months away.
Making his comeback just one day after being added to the squad to replace the unwell Jasprit Bumrah, Siraj struck twice in the power play.
He dismissed Andries Gous (6 off 9 balls, 1 six), caught at mid-off by Tilak Varma, then trapped Saiteja Mukkamalla (2 off 7 balls,) caught at mid-wicket by Varun Chakaravarthy. Arshdeep Singh (2/18) removed captain Monank Patel (0), caught brilliantly by Shivam Dube at mid-off, leaving USA reeling at 31/3 in the powerplay.
Milind Kumar (34 off 34 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) and Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37 off 31 balls, 1 four, 2 sixes) steadied the innings with a crucial 48-run partnership.
The pair took advantage of India’s spinners, with Krishnamurthi particularly aggressive against Axar Patel (2/24), smashing him for a six over long-on. At 98/4 after 14 overs, USA harbored genuine hopes of an upset.
However, Axar’s double-wicket 16th over proved decisive. He dismissed both set batsmen, Krishnamurthi caught by Rinku Singh at deep mid-wicket, and Harmeet Singh (0) caught by Siraj in consecutive deliveries, to trigger a collapse from 100/4 to 104/6.
Shubham Ranjane (37 off 22 balls, 2 fours, 3 sixes) fought valiantly despite carrying an injury, smashing Hardik Pandya for a six and Mohammed Siraj for consecutive boundaries. His defiant knock reduced the margin, but India’s bowlers held firm.
Varun Chakaravarthy (1/24) dismissed Milind Kumar stumped by Ishan Kishan, while Arshdeep and Siraj mopped up the tail. USA finished on 132/8, falling 29 runs short as India successfully defended their lowest total at the Wankhede and extended their T20 World Cup winning streak to nine matches.
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USA Innings – Key Performers
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Sanjay Krishnamurthi | 37 runs off 31 balls (1 four, 2 sixes) – SR: 119.35 |
| Best Batsman | Shubham Ranjane | 37 runs off 22 balls (2 fours, 3 sixes) – SR: 168.18 |
| Best Batsman | Milind Kumar | 34 runs off 34 balls (3 fours, 1 six) – SR: 100.00 |
| Best Bowler (IND) | Mohammed Siraj | 3/29 in 4 overs – Economy: 7.25 |
| Best Bowler (IND) | Axar Patel | 2/24 in 4 overs – Economy: 6.00 |
| Best Bowler (IND) | Arshdeep Singh | 2/18 in 4 overs – Economy: 4.50 |
