India scored 161/9 in their 20 overs, with a stunning knock from their captain making for a competitive total. Suryakumar Yadav led the way with a flowing 84 off just 49, anchoring the innings and keeping the scoreboard ticking through the middle overs. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals in the beginning, India managed to post more than 160, which was a challenging target for the Monank Patel-led team.
The US responded with purpose, but the depth and experience of the Indian bowling unit ultimately proved too strong for them. Axar Patel was the standout bowler and produced a decisive spell in the middle overs. He struck in successive deliveries, dismissing Sanjay Krishnamurthi and then Harmeet Singh, and swung the momentum firmly towards India.
Besides Axar, other Indian bowlers kept up the pressure with tight lines and disciplined lengths, preventing the American batters from building long partnerships as Mohammed Siraj took three wickets while Arsdheep Singh scalped two. The visiting side were eventually restricted to 132/8 in their 20 overs and fell 29 runs short.
Who said what?
Suryakumar Yadav, Player of the Match
Look, I was sure it would happen someday. Last year I tried to bat like that and hold the innings for the team but it didn’t happen. But then I left it alone after playing last year’s final series against South Africa. I always felt there was a need for a batsman who would bat till the end. I never felt it was a 180-190 wicket. I felt it was a 140 wicket. But then Gauti bhai told me the same thing during the break after the fourteen overs. He said to me, just try to see it through to the end, you can cover it at any time. And most importantly, I played a lot of my cricket in Bombay, this wicket and also the girls of Mumbai cricket. So I know how to bat on similar type of wickets. (on adapting to the field) Absolutely. I mean, 77 for 6 and from there it goes all the way. You had to understand that one batter had to bat until the end.
Monank Patel, US captain (losing captain)
I thought our bowlers did a great job. The way they assessed the condition and the pitch, initially it was not easy to bat in the powerplay and I thought the variations they showed in the powerplay initially, it gave us good momentum and a good start by getting wickets. We kept them quiet for a long time. We dropped a few catches here and there that cost us the game. But a lot has been learned from this game and there are many positives. And this game will definitely help us move forward. (biggest positive for you today) I thought the way we handled the pressure when we played in front of a big crowd and played against India, the first game of the World Cup, I thought we did really well. Yes, we didn’t click with our batting department, but there were a lot of positives, Milind, Shubham, Sanjay, the way they played, I thought it would help us in the next three games. Overall, I know we made a few mistakes, but we will definitely come back stronger.
Suryakumar Yadav, captain of India (winning captain)
Only I can actually say how much pressure I felt in the position we were in, 77 for 6. But at the same time I had the belief that I have hit in similar situations. And also when I played a lot of cricket here in Maidans or Mumbai cricket, Azad Maidan, Cross Maidan. I think the curator and groundskeepers did their best to prepare the best pitch. But I think some things are out of their control. So there wasn’t enough sunlight to roll and water that field. Maybe that’s why, but we can’t sweep everything under the rug. We could have hit a little better. We are sitting around Aaram Se [sit relaxed]We have a lot of time, five days before the next match and we will come back stronger. (injury update on Bumrah and Washi) Washi joins us in Delhi. He’s good. Everything is fine. Bumrah, he had high fever due to the weather, as Abhishek was sick. But rest, all is well.
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