Suryakumar Yadav (50) and Shivam Dube (31) formed a resilient unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 67 runs off 65 balls, leading India to a 7-wicket victory over co-host USA in their T20 World Cup group fixture at the bowler-friendly Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York yesterday.

This was India’s third consecutive win, ensuring their place in the Super Eight round with one match to spare, while USA and Pakistan will compete for the second spot in the group. Chasing 111 runs, India was 44 for 3 in 7.3 overs after losing Virat Kohli (1), Skipper Rohit Sharma (3), and Rishabh Pant (18) early. However, Suryakumar Yadav scored 50 in 49 balls, with 2 fours and 2 sixes, supported by Shivam Dube, who made 31 in 35 balls, with a four and a six, guiding India to victory with 10 balls to spare.

Indian paceman Arshdeep Singh, who took 4 for 9, was named Man of the Match.

Earlier, India skipper Rohit Sharma once again decided to field first, aiming to take early wickets on this pitch. This decision paid off as left-arm paceman Arshdeep Singh took two wickets in the first over. Shayan Jahanjir, replacing opener and skipper Monank Patel who was out due to a shoulder injury, was out for a first-ball duck. Number three batter Andries Gous scored only 2 runs in 5 balls before heading back to the pavilion, with Hardik Pandya taking a catch. The first over put significant pressure on co-host USA, thanks to Arshdeep Singh’s early breakthroughs.

Standing skipper Aaron Jones, who scored a highest of 94 in their opening game, started with a six over fine leg, but all-rounder Hardik Pandya quickly took his wicket, leaving the USA at 25 for 3 after 7.2 overs. They were 42 for 3 after ten overs, with Nithish Kumar making 27 runs off 23 balls, including 2 fours and a six, trying to build the innings. Corey Anderson supported with 15 runs off 12 balls, including a four and a six, helping the team reach 100 runs in 17.5 overs.

However, Arshdeep Singh produced an excellent 4-over spell, capturing 4 for 9, which were his career-best figures. All-rounder Hardik Pandya took 2 for 14. USA had to settle for 110 for 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. In the later stages of the innings, India controlled the game well, restricting USA to 110 with a run rate of 5.5 per over.

Chief scores

USA: 110 for 8 wickets in 20 overs (Steven Taylor 24, Aaron Jones 11, Nithish Kumar 27, Corey Anderson 15, Harmeet Singh 10, Shadley van Schalkwyk 11*, Arshdeep Singh 4/9, Hardik Pandya 2/14, Axar Patel 1/25)

India: 111 for 3 wickets in 18.2 overs (Rishabh Pant 18, Suryakumar Yadav 50*, Shivam Dube 31*, Saurabh Netravalkar 2/18, Ali Khan 1/21)

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