USA VS INDIA  25TH MATCH T20 WORLD CUP HIGH LIGHTS-

India triumphed over the United States by 7 wickets to advance to the Super 8 round of the T20 World Cup 2024.  Surya Kumar Yadav’s determined half-century, along with his partnership with Shivam Dube, steered India to a hard-fought victory. The USA was penalized 5 runs for a slow over rate, which slightly eased India’s path to the Super 8s with this win.

Arshdeep Singh was the standout with four wickets, restricting Canada to 110/8 in their T20 World Cup match. Nitish Kumar top-scored for the USA with 27 runs, while Hardik Pandya contributed with two key wickets.

TOSS

Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bowl first against Aaron Jones’ United States at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Wednesday.

United States of America Squad:

Steven Taylor, Monank Patel (WK/C), Andries Gous, Aaron Jones, Nitish Kumar, Corey Anderson, Harmeet Singh, Jasdeep Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Nisarg Patel, Shayan Jahangir, Milind Kumar, Shadley van Schalkwyk.

India Squad:

Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh

Turning Point: Death Overs and Penalty Runs

Both teams found run-scoring challenging throughout the match with India needing 35 from the final five overs. However, the USA was penalized five runs before the start of the 16th over for a slow over rate, the first team to be penalized under this rule. This penalty facilitated India’s race to victory, securing the win with more than an over to spare. Stand-in captain Aaron Jones reflected that they were “10-15 runs short,” with the penalty runs exacerbating their situation towards the end.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Powerplay: Arshdeep Strikes Early

Phase score: 18/2 [RR: 3.00, 4s/6s: 0/1]

The USA experienced early setbacks as they lost two wickets in the first over. Arshdeep dismissed Shayan Jahangir on the first ball via an inswinging delivery and later had Andries Gous caught with a short ball. Mohammed Siraj challenged Jones’ bat multiple times in the fourth over before Jones top-edged a pull for the first boundary of the match. Despite a six, the USA’s run-scoring stagnated with Bumrah and Pandya giving away just one run each in their initial overs, resulting in the lowest powerplay score against India in T20Is and the third lowest in the World Cup.

Middle Overs: Steady and  Slow Progress of USA

Phase score: 63/3 [RR: 7.00, 4s/6s: 2/4]

Attempting to accelerate, Jones fell to Pandya, top-edging a pull. USA’s first four came from an outside edge off Dube by Nitish Kumar, who then asserted control with a six. Taylor and Nitish put together a useful 31-run partnership. Despite Taylor’s impressive six off Axar Patel, he eventually fell, bowled by an inside edge from Patel. Nitish attempted to build on his innings with aggressive shots, including a six and a four off Pandya, while Corey Anderson hit big in the 14th over. Arshdeep’s return ended Nitish’s innings, with Siraj taking a superb catch close to the boundary.

Death Overs: Arshdeep and Pandya Restrict USA

Phase score: 29/3 [RR: 5.80, 4s/6s: 2/1]

Corey Anderson managed a boundary off Bumrah before Harmeet Singh swung at Bumrah, earning a six and a boundary for 14 runs from the 16th over. India lost a review in the 17th over, but Pandya dismissed Anderson and closed his spell with 2-14. Harmeet was dropped by Siraj but was soon caught by Arshdeep, who concluded with exceptional figures. Bumrah conceded only three runs in the 19th over, finishing wicketless for 25 runs, similar to Siraj’s final over that included a four by Shadley van Schalkwyk.

INDIA

Powerplay: Early Setbacks

Phase score: 33/2 [RR: 5.50, 4s/6s: 1/2]

India’s Virat Kohli continued his lean run, falling for a golden duck to an away-moving delivery from Saurabh Netravalkar. Rishabh Pant hit the first boundary, driving Ali Khan over point. Netravalkar struck again, dismissing Rohit Sharma with a stopped ball. Suryakumar Yadav battled through an injured thumb to earn the first six of the innings. Despite a few boundaries, the USA kept pressure on India, resulting in their lowest powerplay score in this World Cup.

Middle Overs: Hard-Fought Partnership

Phase score: 43/3 [RR: 4.77, 4s/6s: 2/1]

India’s momentum was halted as Pant was bowled by a skidding delivery from Ali Khan. Runs were hard to come by, with India reaching 47/3 by the halfway mark. Dube struggled to score, as a boundary drought extended to 32 balls until he edged a four past the ‘keeper. Surya Kumar nearly fell to a misjudged chip shot but was dropped. He then managed a boundary off Ali Khan, and Dube hit a six off Anderson to relieve some pressure.

Death Overs: Securing the Win

Phase score: 35/0 [RR: 10.51, 4s/6s: 1/1]

Penalty runs awarded to India before the 16th over further destabilized the USA. With a run-a-ball required for the last four overs, Suryakumar hit a six and a four, reducing the target significantly. He brought up his half-century and Dube sealed the win with a straight drive, marking India’s third consecutive win and the highest successful run-chase at this venue.

Brief Scores:

United States of America: 110/8 in 20 overs (Nitish Kumar 27, Steven Taylor 24; Arshdeep Singh 4-9, Hardik Pandya 2-14) lost to India: 111/3 in 18.2 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 50\*, Shivam Dube 31\*; Saurabh Netravalkar 2-18) by 7 wickets.

What’s Next for the Teams?

Following the New York leg, India will relocate to Florida to face Canada on June 15 for their final group match. The USA will play against Ireland a day earlier at the same venue, with their hopes of Super 8 qualification still alive.