Picture : BCCI/X
Defending Champions India began their title defence with a nervy 29-run win over USA at the Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium . In front of the huge home crowd , USA looked unfazed as their skipper Monank Patel after winning the toss asked India to bat first .
India got off to a horror start with Abhishek Sharma out for 0 . Ishan Kishan in opener role looked good as he raced to 20 off 16 before he holed out . Tilak Varma gave some hints but perished at 25 . USA were energetic on the field and bowled well to check the power India batting line-up. Shivam Dube ( 0), Rinku Singh ( 6), Hardik Pandya ( 5) flopped as India’s top order collapsed . Much to the disbeleief of the Mumbai crowd . Axar Patel scored 14. Arshdeep Singh 4 , Varun Chakaravarthy run-out 0 .
USA clearly punched above their weight to rattle India . India were tottering at 77/6 in the 13th over. Fortunately for India, Skipper Suryakumar Yadav made most of a dropped chance and made USA pay at the end as he powered the Indian innings with a sterling captain’s knock an unbeaten 84 ( 49 balls 10, fours, 4 sixes) . Axar Patel scored 14. Arshdeep Singh 4 , Varun Chakaravarthy run-out 0 . India finishing at 161/9 in their 20 overs.
For the USA , Shadley van Schalkwyk was brilliant with fine figures of 4/25 ( 4 overs) Harmeet Singh, 2/26 ( 4 overs), Saurabh Netravalkar 0/65 ( 4 overs), Mohammad Mohsin 1/16 ( 4 overs), Shubham Ranjane 0/16 ( 2 overs), Ali Khan 1/13 ( 2 overs)
In reply , USA lost wickets regularly and that dented their chase . Opener Andries Gous ( 6), Saiteja Mukkamalla ( 2), Skipper Monank Patel ( 0). Milind Kumar (34) , Sanjay Krishnamurthi, and Shubham Ranjane ( 37) got the starts but could not carry on . Harmeet Singh ( 0), Mohammad Mohsin ( 8) , Shadley van Schalkwyk not out 2 . USA could manage 132/8 in their 20 overs. India winning by 29 runs.
India Bowling figures : Arshdeep Singh 2/18 ( 8 overs), comeback man Mohammed Siraj 3/29 ( 4 overs), Varun Chakaravarthy 1/24 ( 4 overs) , Axar Patel 2/24 ( 4 overs), Hardik Pandya 0/34( 4 overs)
Match: T20 World Cup 2026, 3rd Match
Venue: Mumbai | Date: February 07, 2026
