In the T20 World Cup encounter at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, India maintained their unbeaten streak with a thrilling 7-wicket victory over co-hosts USA on Wednesday.
The star-studded performance, marked by Arshdeep Singh’s ferocious bowling and a match-winning partnership between Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, propelled India into the Super 8.
Arshdeep’s Fiery Start
Opting to bowl first, India struck early and hard. Arshdeep Singh delivered a masterclass in fast bowling, finishing with staggering figures of 4-9. The young pacer set the tone by removing Shayan Jahangir for a duck and Andries Gous for 2 in the very first over, leaving the USA reeling.
Stand-in captain Aaron Jones briefly resisted, showcasing some brilliant shots before falling to Hardik Pandya for 11. The USA’s hopes were momentarily revived by Steven Taylor (24) and Nitish Kumar (27), who steadied the ship with some sensible batting.
Axar Patel, however, provided a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Taylor. Arshdeep returned to dismantle the middle order, claiming the wicket of the dangerous Nitish Kumar, leaving the USA at 81/5.
Pandya and Bumrah Seal the Deal
Hardik Pandya contributed with two wickets for 14 runs, while the seasoned Jasprit Bumrah faced some aggression from Corey Anderson and Harmeet Singh, who smashed him for 14 runs in an over. Despite this, the USA could only muster 110/8 in their 20 overs.
India’s Nerve-Wracking Chase
Chasing a modest target of 111, India faced early jitters. The ‘Men in Blue’ lost their star openers, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, early in the innings, sending a wave of excitement through the stadium. Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant stabilised the innings with a crucial 29-run partnership.
Shivam Dube, struggling for form, joined Yadav at the crease. Together, they navigated the tricky surface and ensured the asking rate remained within reach. The USA’s fielding faltered as the pressure mounted, resulting in a five-run penalty for not starting an over on time.
With the USA players visibly deflated, Suryakumar (50*) and Dube (31*) opened their arms. They chased down the total with ten deliveries to spare, marking the highest successful run chase in New York.
Captain’s Thoughts and Celebrations
Following the thrilling win, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma despite his early dismissal, praised the team’s resilience.
“It’s never easy to chase on such surfaces, but our bowlers set the platform, and Suryakumar and Shivam capitalised beautifully,”
he said.
India’s victory over the USA not only secured their place in the Super 8 but also highlighted their ability to handle pressure in critical situations. The blend of disciplined bowling and strategic batting showcased why India remains a formidable force in the T20 format.
Brief Score:
- 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)
With this win, India continues to soar in the T20 World Cup, leaving fans eagerly anticipating their next encounter.
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