Captain Suryakumar Yadav’s defiant 84* and a disciplined bowling performance powered India to a 29-run victory over a tenacious USA side in their T20 World Cup 2026 opener at a packed Wankhede Stadium on Saturday. The defending champions, tested early by a stunning USA powerplay burst, rallied to secure their record ninth consecutive win in the tournament’s history.
Match Timeline & Key Events
First Innings (India: 161/9)
Over 1: Ali Khan traps Abhishek Sharma LBW for a golden duck on the second ball of the tournament.
Overs 1-6 (Powerplay): USA dominates, reducing India to 46/4.
Over 6: Shadley van Schalkwyk strikes thrice—removing Rinku Singh (12), Rishabh Pant (0), and Shivam Dube (1).
Overs 7–20: Captain Suryakumar Yadav forms tenuous alliances with the lower order to anchor a disjointed innings.
Over 20: Yadav finishes unbeaten on 84 (49b, 10×4, 4×6), dragging India to 161/9. Van Schalkwyk finishes with 4/25.
Second Innings (USA: 132/8)
Overs 1-6: Steven Taylor (8) and Monank Patel (11) are removed by early pressure from Arshdeep Singh (2/18).
Overs 7-15: The USA keeps the chase going at 105/4 by battling through Milind Kumar (34 off 28) and Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37 off 31).
Overs 16–20: Mohammed Siraj (3/29) ends the game by dismissing Shubham Ranjane LBW on the penultimate ball, breaking the crucial partnership.
Post-Match Stats & Statements
Suryakumar Yadav, named Player of the Match, addressed his recent lean patch: “I knew definitely someday it was going to come… I always felt it was a 140 wicket, not 180-190. The plan was just to bat till the end.” His innings proved the decisive difference on a challenging two-paced surface.
India has now won the T20 World Cup nine times in a row, surpassing both South Africa and Australia’s previous record of eight victories apiece. Van Schalkwyk’s 4-wicket haul and a valiant chase indicate the USA’s rising prominence in the world of cricket.
Upcoming Group A Schedule for India
February 12, 2026: vs Namibia, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi (7:00 PM IST)
February 15, 2026: vs Pakistan, R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (7:00 PM IST)
February 18, 2026: vs Netherlands, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad (7:00 PM IST)
Tomorrow’s T20 World Cup Fixtures (February 8, 2026)
- Group D: New Zealand vs Afghanistan, Chennai (11:00 AM IST)
- Group C: England vs Nepal, Mumbai (3:00 PM IST)
- Group B: Sri Lanka vs Ireland, Colombo (7:00 PM IST)
