Arshdeep Singh’s pace blitz, followed by a crucial 72-run partnership between Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, ensured India maintained their unbeaten run in the ongoing T20 World Cup. They clinched a 7-wicket win over co-hosts USA at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
India secured their place in the Super 8, but the journey to victory was not without challenges posed by the USA team. Chasing a modest target of 111, India lost both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli early, putting them in a tricky position.
Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant steadied the innings with a 29-run partnership, providing India with a much-needed reprieve. Shivam Dube, struggling for form, joined Suryakumar at the crease and played a pivotal role in stabilizing the innings.
Taking their time to adjust to the surface, Suryakumar and Dube ensured the asking rate remained manageable. The USA was docked five runs in the 15th over for failing to begin an over within 60 seconds, their third such infraction in the innings. This penalty visibly deflated the USA players, and Suryakumar and Dube capitalized on the opportunity to chase down the total with ten deliveries to spare.
Earlier in the innings, Arshdeep Singh delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with figures of 4-9. Hardik Pandya supported him well, taking two wickets for 14 runs. For the USA, Steven Taylor top-scored with 24 runs, while Nitish Kumar contributed a crucial 27 off 23 balls.
Electing to bowl first, India put the USA under immediate pressure. Arshdeep struck twice in the first over, removing Shayan Jahangir for a duck and Andries Gous for 2. Stand-in captain Aaron Jones showed some resilience before falling to Hardik Pandya for 11.
Steven Taylor and Nitish Kumar attempted to rebuild the innings, but Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh continued to chip away at the batting lineup. Taylor fell for 24, and Nitish for 27, leaving the USA struggling at 81/5.
Corey Anderson and Harmeet Singh managed to add some quick runs, but Hardik Pandya’s dismissal of Anderson for 14 limited their efforts. The USA concluded their innings at 110/8, with a brief late surge adding 7 runs in the final over.
Brief Scores:
- USA: 110/8 (Steven Taylor 24, Nitish Kumar 27; Arshdeep Singh 4-9)
- India: 111/3 (Suryakumar Yadav 50*, Shivam Dube 31*; Saurabh Netravalkar 2-18)
