Suryakumars Heroics Help India Bounce Back as They Begin World Cup with 29-Run Win Over USA

India began their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign with a victory as they defeated the United States by 29 runs in a Group A match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.

After losing the toss and being put in to bat, India suffered an early collapse, losing four wickets for just 46 runs inside the powerplay. Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube all departed cheaply, leaving the hosts under pressure. Captain Suryakumar Yadav then came to India’s rescue.

Batting with responsibility and composure, Suryakumar scored an unbeaten 84 off 49 balls. India were further dented when Hardik Pandya (5) and Rinku Singh (6) fell in quick succession, reducing the total to 77/6 in the 13th over. Suryakumar then added a crucial 41-run partnership for the seventh wicket with vice-captain Axar Patel. He went on to score 20 runs off the final over to lift India to a competitive 161/9.

For the USA, Shadley van Schalkwyk delivered an impressive spell, finishing with figures of 4/25.

Chasing a target of 162, the USA suffered early setbacks as they lost three wickets for just 13 runs. Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh put the visitors under pressure with early strikes. A 58-run partnership between Milind Kumar and Sanjay Krishnamurthi briefly steadied the innings before Varun Chakravarthy broke the stand in the 12th over. Krishnamurthi was dismissed three overs later.

Despite some late resistance from Shubham Ranjane, the USA innings ended at 132/8 in 20 overs. Siraj was India’s most successful bowler with figures of 3/29, while Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel picked up two wickets each.

Jasprit Bumrah missed India’s opening fixture due to illness, while Siraj, who replaced the injured Harshit Rana, made a strong impact with the ball.

Defending champions India will face Namibia in their second Group A match of the tournament on Thursday.