Suryakumar Yadav and Arshdeep Singh’s crucial performances led India to victory over the USA in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Early in the chase of 111, a determined USA team stopped Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and then India completed the task to secure their Super Eights spot.
USA 110 for 8 (Nitish 27, Taylor 24, Arshdeep 4-9, Hardik 2-14) lost to India 111 for 3 (Suryakumar 50*, Dube 31*, Netravalkar 2-18) by seven wickets.
The USA faced a number of obstacles.
Conditions: This was India’s fourth game at Nassau County Stadium; they had never played there before.
Personnel: The chosen captain, Monank Patel, was absent due to an injury. Rohit Sharma called accurately at the toss and asked that the USA bat in seaming conditions.
Experience: A ragtag crew up against the elite in cricket.
It was ripe with the ingredients of a biased article. It was anything but that, though. At one point, the USA dared to dream when India was 15 for 2 in pursuit of 111 runs and both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had been bowled by Saurabh Netravalkar.
Thirty thousand yelling fans—many of them Indian Americans—gave aspirations additional impetus when Ali Khan castled Rishabh Pant. The USA was now playing to lose.
However, India had a crisis manager in Suryakumar Yadav who helped them navigate through rough seas. Shivam Dube supported him over a pivotal fifty-year partnership that changed the game.
India has advanced to the Super Eights, but the United States is still very much in control of their own destiny. They can go past Pakistan, whom they famously defeated in a thrilling Super Over match last week, with a victory over Ireland, even if it is a washout.
USA was hitting the pitch with cutter bowls. Suryakumar was attempting to fake strokes while having trouble getting the ball off the square. It comes off most of the time. It wasn’t here.
He almost got bowled an over ago when he attempted to sweep Corey Anderson off his length, but instead of playing his signature loft shot, he opened his bat face and sliced the ball high. After racing back from short third really well to get to the ball, Saurabh Netravalkar looped beneath it but lost the opportunity.
It was a stunning delivery of the ball that hit Kohli in the opening over. The batter jabbed after nicking off with a flawless away-going delivery. In T20Is, it was only Kohli’s second golden duck.
It was kind of the same ball that hit Rohit. Rohit turned the bat’s face to take the leading edge, but it was much closer to the stumps. Harmeet Singh, a few years Rohit’s junior in school, ran back and held on at the midway point. India was 15 for 2, and after Rishabh Pant was out to a ball that skidded low and through his defence, they were shortly 44 for 3.
It seemed as though Suryakumar’s reprieve deflated the United States. Aaron Jones started changing fields every time a ball was pitched and approaching to talk with the pitcher in between pitches, which gave the hitters an advantage.
Also Read: Pakistan Triumphs in T20 World Cup with Stellar Performances from Amir and Rizwan
The USA were twice advised not to start their next over inside their allotted 60 seconds in order to avoid prolonging the match. The umpires gave India five penalty runs when they made a third mistake. India required a run-a-ball thirty from 35 off thirty. It made no difference then that Suryakumar was well out of his 360-degree mode or that Dube had once struggled on 5 off 14.
When Suryakumar used Shadley van Schalkwyk’s medium pace to loft a six over extra cover and produce a characteristic flick over his shoulder for four consecutive deliveries, India finally broke the siege in the 17th over. He reached his 49-ball half-century off the opening ball of the 19th. One good delivery later, Dube hammered a yorker-length delivery to long off, which proved to be the winning run. Dube’s confidence should be boosted by the fact that he persevered through a difficult battle to stay undefeated on 31. This might have easily been another blow that sent his concerns spiraling out of control.
Arshdeep Singh swung the ball back in during the opening over of the day, which lasted two wickets. Replacing Monank Patel, Shayan Jahangir was out leg before wicket, and Andries Gous was caught mid-off while trying to pull a sloppy short ball.
The USA didn’t get any momentum that would have allowed them to approach 120 until Nitish Kumar and Corey Anderson put up 25 off 18 going into the final overs.
But overs 16–18 derailed such intentions. After Anderson was removed for the second time by Hardik’s wicket-maiden in the seventeenth over, Arshdeep had Harmeet Singh, who had earlier top-edged Bumrah for a six to get off to a quick start, caught behind.
USA ended up with 110, which they’d look back at and wonder what could’ve been had they only got 10 more.
Rohit Sharma Praises Suryakumar Yadav’s Versatility in India’s Win Against USA
Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 49-ball 50 was pivotal in India’s recovery from a precarious situation on a challenging New York pitch against the USA. His captain, Rohit Sharma, lauded the adaptability shown by Suryakumar, describing it as a hallmark of experienced players.
“He showed he’s got a different game as well, that is what you expect from experienced players,” said Rohit Sharma post-match, following India’s third consecutive win to secure a spot in the Super Eight stage. “To come out and bat differently if the situation demands, that is what Surya did. The partnership with Shivam Dube was very important for us. In the end, to take us home was a great effort.”
Dube’s Dual Role and Rohit’s Strategic Insights
Shivam Dube contributed significantly with a gritty 31 off 35 balls. Despite early struggles, his timely six off Corey Anderson in the 15th over was crucial as it came when India needed 44 from 35 balls. Dube’s ability to break USA’s tightening grip proved vital.
Rohit Sharma also emphasized the importance of having versatile options like Dube, who can contribute both with bat and ball. “I think that is something we want; we want options with us,” Rohit remarked. “As and when we feel like we can use them, we should be able to use them. Today, I thought we could use them, the pitch had something in it.”
Bowling Masterclass on a Tough Pitch
Arshdeep Singh was the standout bowler, claiming career-best figures of 4 for 9, including two wickets in the first over. Rohit praised the bowling unit, particularly highlighting Arshdeep’s exceptional start. Hardik Pandya’s key wickets of Aaron Jones and Corey Anderson with short deliveries were also crucial in India’s victory.
“We knew bowlers had to take the lead,” Rohit noted. “Run-scoring is difficult on this pitch. Again, all our bowlers did the job, particularly Arshdeep, the way he started off was magnificent. Playing cricket here wasn’t easy. It could’ve been anyone’s game.”
Acknowledging USA’s Indian-Origin Talent
Rohit also commended the efforts of USA’s Indian-origin players, including Saurabh Netravalkar and Harmeet Singh, both of whom he has personal connections with from his cricketing journey in Mumbai.
“Lot of these guys, we’ve played cricket together,” Rohit said. “But I’m very happy to see them, their progress in cricket. Last year, we saw them play in the MLC [Major League Cricket] as well, they’re going from strength to strength, and I can hope for nothing but the best for them. They’re hard-working guys making their mark here in US.
