India survive early scare to beat USA in opener

The Indian cricket team began its T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a 29-run win against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.

Suryakumar Yadav was India’s top-scorer in the Group A opener with an unbeaten 49-ball 84. Mohammed Siraj, a late replacement in the Indian squad for the injured Harshit Rana, led the way with the ball for India and finished with figures of 3/29.

India’s premier bowler Jasprit Bumrah was unavailable for selection for India’s opening T20 World Cup fixture due to illness.

After being put in to bat by the USA, India wobbled early on and slumped to 46/4 at the end of the powerplay overs, with Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube all walking back in the dugout without troubling the scorers too much.

In a precarious position, hosts India found a saviour in captain Suryakumar Yadav, who batted with maturity and poise under pressure to score what would eventually be a match-saving unbeaten 84 off just 49 deliveries.

While India lost Hardik Pandya (5) and Rinku Singh (6) in quick succession and were reduced to 77/6 in the 13th over, Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Axar Patel put together a decisive 41-run stand for the seventh wicket.

With wickets tumbling at the other end, Suryakumar Yadav remained resolute and smashed 20 runs off the last over to help India post a target of 161/9.

Shadley van Schalkwyk was the pick of the bowlers for the Americans with figures of 4/25.

Chasing 162 to win, USA were left reeling at 13/3 as Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh managed to make early inroads into the visitors’ batting line-up.

Milind Kumar and Sanjay Krishnamurthi went on to put on a 58-run stand together to frustrate the Indian bowlers before Varun Chakravarthy removed Milind to break the partnership in the 12th over. Krishnamurthi followed three overs later.

Shubham Ranjane offered some late resistance but the US innings eventually ended at 132/8 in 20 overs. Siraj finished with figures of 3/29 while Arshdeep and Axar scalped two wickets each.

Reigning T20 World Cup champions India will take on Namibia in their second Group A encounter at the T20 World Cup on Thursday.

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