India survives massive USA scare

AFP | Mumbai

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A sparkling unbeaten 84 from India captain Suryakumar Yadav and three wickets from late call-up Mohammed Siraj in Mumbai yesterday helped India to avoid a shock defeat to the United States as they opened their defence of the T20 World Cup.

India were in trouble at 77-6 before Suryakumar took them to a competitive 161-9 at a packed Wankhede stadium and won by 29 runs as the USA could only muster 132-8 in reply.

Chasing 162 for a massive upset, the Americans were quickly reduced to 13-3 as Siraj, only added to the squad 24 hours earlier as a replacement for the injured Harshit Rana, struck twice in his first two overs.

A 58-run fourth wicket partnership between Milind Kumar (34) and Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37) put the USA on course for a stunning win.

They were still in the hunt at 98-4 in the 16th over when spinner Axar Patel took two wickets in two balls to end their hopes. Suryakumar paced his 49-ball innings brilliantly, shepherding the tail and smashing 10 fours and four sixes as India plundered 75 off the final six overs.

Siraj, who had not played a T20 international since July 2024, celebrated his recall by taking a wicket with his fourth ball.

USA opener Andries Gous had just hit Siraj for six but next ball could only find Tilak Varma who took a low catch.

Arshdeep Singh got in on the act at the other end, removing captain Monank Patel, who was caught by Shivam Dube off a leading edge.

That left the USA at 11-2 which became 13-3 when Siraj struck again to remove Saiteja Mukkamalla for two.

Siraj finished with 3-29 after trapping Shubham Ranjane lbw with the final ball of the innings.

Mini-collapse

After US captain Patel won the toss and opted to field, his decision was rewarded with the prize wicket of the dangerous Abhishek Sharma off the first ball he faced.

The left-handed Abhishek attempted a typically flamboyant back-foot drive for six off the bowling of Ali Khan to be caught on the cover boundary by Sanjay Krishnamurthi.

Number three Varma announced his arrival with a six and two fours off Saurabh Netravalkar.