Mumbai, February 8: The Indian cricket team scored 161 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their opening match against the USA in the T20 World Cup 2026, thanks to a half-century from captain Suryakumar Yadav.
After losing the toss and opting to bat first, India’s start was rocky. Opener Abhishek Sharma was dismissed without scoring on the very first ball, leaving the team at just 8 runs. A partnership of 37 runs between Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma followed for the second wicket, but both fell in quick succession during the sixth over. Kishan scored 20 runs off 16 balls, while Varma managed 25 runs off 16 balls.
The fall of wickets continued as Shivam Dube scored 0, Rinku Singh 6, and Hardik Pandya 5 runs before being dismissed. However, a 41-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Axar Patel and Suryakumar Yadav brought some excitement to Indian fans, although Patel was out for 14 runs at a total of 118.
Despite the wickets tumbling around him, captain Suryakumar Yadav held firm and crafted a brilliant half-century, marking his 25th in T20 cricket. He remained unbeaten with 84 runs off 49 balls, hitting 4 sixes and 10 fours. In the final over, he scored 21 runs off Saurabh Netravalkar, including 2 fours and 2 sixes, helping India reach a total of 161 runs.
For the USA, Saurabh Netravalkar was the most expensive bowler, conceding 65 runs in his 4 overs without taking a wicket. On the other hand, Shadley Van Schalkwyk was the most successful bowler, claiming 4 wickets for 25 runs in his 4 overs. Harmit Singh took 2 wickets for 26 runs, while Ali Khan and Mohammad Mohsin each took 1 wicket.