India's T20 World Cup campaign got off to a stunning start, as Suryakumar Yadav led his team to a 29-run victory over the United States. The defending champions, who are considered overwhelming favorites, were in dire straits after being put into bat and slumping to 77-6, putting their World Cup hopes at risk.
However, Suryakumar, known by his nickname SKY, defied all odds with a brilliant 84 not out from 49 balls. His innings was a masterclass of calm and calculated aggression, as he played trademark sweeps off seamers for six and tumbling scoops to counter the situation perfectly.
The US bowler Shadley van Schalkwyk dropped Suryakumar on his first ball, which proved costly as India went from 15-0 to 77-6 in a span of just six overs. The Indian captain made the most of the reprieve by Ranjane and punished the miss with a series of breathtaking shots.
As the required run-rate climbed, Suryakumar continued to play his shots, dragging the hosts to 161-9. India's seamers Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj took three wickets in their first four overs, reducing the US to 13-3, further denting their hopes of chasing down the target.
The US eventually managed 132-8 in their 20 overs, with no player able to threaten India's lead. The win marked a comfortable start for India at the top of Group A, and they set the early pace for the tournament.
However, there was no room for error as Suryakumar's innings was the only thing standing between India and the biggest shock in cricket history. The US bowlers showed incredible skill and composure but ultimately fell short against one of the best batsmen in the world.
It was a spectacular and much-needed knock from Suryakumar, who took 20 runs from the last over to seal the win for India. His innings proved that even in the most desperate of situations, there is always hope, and he will surely be remembered as one of the heroes of this tournament.
However, Suryakumar, known by his nickname SKY, defied all odds with a brilliant 84 not out from 49 balls. His innings was a masterclass of calm and calculated aggression, as he played trademark sweeps off seamers for six and tumbling scoops to counter the situation perfectly.
The US bowler Shadley van Schalkwyk dropped Suryakumar on his first ball, which proved costly as India went from 15-0 to 77-6 in a span of just six overs. The Indian captain made the most of the reprieve by Ranjane and punished the miss with a series of breathtaking shots.
As the required run-rate climbed, Suryakumar continued to play his shots, dragging the hosts to 161-9. India's seamers Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj took three wickets in their first four overs, reducing the US to 13-3, further denting their hopes of chasing down the target.
The US eventually managed 132-8 in their 20 overs, with no player able to threaten India's lead. The win marked a comfortable start for India at the top of Group A, and they set the early pace for the tournament.
However, there was no room for error as Suryakumar's innings was the only thing standing between India and the biggest shock in cricket history. The US bowlers showed incredible skill and composure but ultimately fell short against one of the best batsmen in the world.
It was a spectacular and much-needed knock from Suryakumar, who took 20 runs from the last over to seal the win for India. His innings proved that even in the most desperate of situations, there is always hope, and he will surely be remembered as one of the heroes of this tournament.