India vs USA ICC MT20 WC, 2026, Full Score Card

OUT! PLUMB IN FRONT! Siraj executes the yorker to absolute perfection, on middle. Shubham Ranjane gets low for the sweep, but the ball is too full for the shot. It sneaks under his blade and hits him flush on the left boot. India go up in unison, and the finger is raised. Ranjane does not bother reviewing it. India win by 29 runs and get their campaign underway!

There was a sound, but it has been given as a wide. Low full toss, outside off, Ranjane gets closer to the line of the ball and has a heave across the line. The ball appears to have grazed the toe end of the blade before going behind to the keeper on the bounce. Siraj wants to review the wide call, but that is not possible at this event.

Siraj slips in the yorker, near the tramline. It goes beyond the tramline and Ranjane lets it be. Not given as a wide because Shubham shuffled across the stumps.

SIX! That has gone back many a mile! Siraj bashes the surface but this sits up to be hit, around the waist, on off. Ranjane stands tall and climbs into it as he parks the pull over deep mid-wicket. It is taken in the crowd by a fan sporting an Indian jersey.

Closer to the off stump, full in length. Ranjane gets low and has a swipe across the line but does not connect.

Full and outside off, Ranjane reaches out and ends up dragging it off the inner half to wide long on. He does not take the single.

FOUR! Nicely done! Slower, short ball, over middle. Ranjane cleverly walks inside the line of the ball and helps the hook fine of the short fine leg fielder for a four.

Mohammed Siraj (3-0-18-2) to close out the game.

Nails the yorker, at the base of the middle and leg stump. Shadley van Schalkwyk jams it out down the deck.

Another teaser! A well-directed short ball by Hardik at the bodyline. Ranjane tries to take it on but is rushed and the ball gets big on him. Spoons it behind square leg, where Mohammed Siraj sprints to his left but the ball drops in front. Single taken.

In the air...but safe! Slower one, on a good length, keeping it wide on off. Ranjane reaches out and swings hard at it. He loses his shape and slices it over extra cover. The sub fielder, Sanju Samson, goes after it, but the ball drops out of his reach. Two runs taken.

SIX! A gift and Shubham Ranjane accepts it gleefully! Pandya goes searching for the yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, on off and middle. Ranjane hangs deep in the crease, gets low to get under the ball and clobbers it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

A yorker, right at the toes. Shadley van Schalkwyk gets the front leg out of the way and jams it out beside the strip on the leg side before crossing over.

Almost chopped it on! Pandya serves the off-cutter, on a back of a length, across off. van Schalkwyk swings for the hills but gets an inside edge that sneaks past the stumps and rolls to short fine leg.

Who will bowl the 19th? It will be Hardik Pandya. 3-0-24-0 so far. USA need 51 from 12 balls.

This is full and straight, on middle. Shadley hits it down to long on for a single.

A sharp and quick bumper, over middle, Shadley van Schalkwyk ducks under it.

USA's star with the ball, Shadley van Schalkwyk, is in at number 9.

OUT! CAUGHT! Arshdeep Singh has his second wicket. Singh bangs it in short at the bodyline of the batter, tucking him up for room. Mohsin hangs back and swings across for the pull. Gets it only as far as deep mid-wicket, where Tilak Varma gobbles it up around his waist. The USA are now 7 down for 110.

FOUR! Gets it through! Into the deck, outside off, Mohsin walks across for the scoop and gets it away to short fine leg. It balloons to the left of the diving Varun Chakaravarthy and bounces past him for a four.

Mohammad Mohsin had given up! Singh takes pace off and slams the surface, over off. Ranjane swivels for the pull but toe-ends it to the right of the keeper. Mohsin is keen for a single and is halfway before Shubham sends him back. Ishan Kishan moves to his right, gets to the ball and fires in a throw at the bowling end but misses. The batters cross over eventually as the ball dribbles to long on.

Arshdeep returns into the attack. Angled in on a back of a length, on middle. Mohammad Mohsin backs away and smears it to long on for a single.

Gets the yorker in at the base of the leg stump. Mohsin gets the front pad out of the way and squeezes it to long off for only a run.

A big swing and a miss! Fuller and leaving the left-hander with the angle. Mohammad Mohsin throws the kitchen sink at it but fails to connect.

Slower ball, on a good length, outside off, Shubham walks across the stumps and punches it to deep cover. They cross.

Lands it on a short of a length, on off, Mohammad Mohsin makes room and hits it to deep cover for one.

Skidding through, across off, on a back of a length. Mohsin looks to use the pace and run it down but misses.

Off-cutter, on a back of a length, on off, Shubham Ranjane flat bats it to long on for a run.

A very profitable over for India. Just two runs and two big wickets from it. Hardik Pandya (2-0-20-0) is back on.

Shorter and around middle and leg, Mohsin tucks it to mid-wicket. 4-0-24-2, Axar also ends a brilliant spell.

Attacking the front pad, on a nagging length. Ranjane brings his bat out in front but gets it off an inside edge to short fine leg for a run. 100 comes up for the USA!

No hat-trick for Axar! Fuller and on off, Mohsin pushes out in front of his body. The ball rolls off the inner half, wide of short fine leg for one.

Going downhill for the USA now. Mohammad Mohsin is in at number 8 and will face the Hat Trick ball from Axar.

OUT! CAUGHT! Two in two for Axar Patel. Full and sliding across the left-hander, Harmeet collapses his back knee and attempts the slog sweep. He fails to get any sort of elevation and hits it flat to deep mid-wicket. Mohammed Siraj runs across to his left, gets low and takes the catch around his left shin. A golden duck for Harmeet. Axar is on a hat-trick.

An important breakthrough for India. Sanjay Krishnamurthi was batting really well in these conditions. Harmeet Singh is the next batter in for the USA.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Axar Patel provides India with an important wicket on his return to the attack. USA's chances in the chase take a massive hit. Floated up, full and on middle. Krishnamurthi drops on knee for the slog sweep but gets a top edge. It is skied in front of deep mid-wicket, where Rinku Singh runs in off the ropes and makes no mistake. End of a fighting knock from Sanjay Krishnamurthi, 37 runs off 31 balls. USA are 98/5, needing 64 runs from 28 balls.

Speared in by Axar, short and on middle. Sanjay Krishnamurthi hangs back and defends it out.

SIX! Gets the distance. Varun goes full and tosses this one on off, Shubham Ranjane picks the length quite early. Sits down on his knee and slog sweeps it with conviction for a six over long on. Varun Chakaravarthy is done with his spell with figures of 4-0-24-1.

Skids through, on a length, Shubham covers the line and bunts it back to the bowler.

Full and quick, outside off, pushed through cover for a single.

Tossed up, outside off, Shubham Ranjane knocks it down to long off for a single.

Smart review! Pushed through on a fuller length by Varun, spins back in from the pitch. Shubham Ranjane goes down on his knee to play the slog sweep, but the ball passes close to the inside edge and thuds on the back thigh. A massive appeal for LBW, and the finger goes up. Shubham Ranjane has instantly taken the review, gesturing that it grazed his bat. UltraEdge paints a clear picture, as there is a clear spike when the ball is next to the bat.

Short and flat, on leg, Sanjay Krishnamurthi mistimes the pull shot, but the ball goes on the bounce to deep square leg for a single.

DRINKS BREAK! The USA were building a handy partnership, but the fall of Milind Kumar shifts much of the responsibility onto Sanjay Krishnamurthi. With Shubham Ranjane struggling to run between the wickets because of a right knee issue picked up while bowling, running will clearly be a struggle for him. That makes the challenge about batting deep and finding a way to keep the chase alive. India will back themselves to close out the game from here. While Hardik Pandya has been expensive, the rest have done a good job so far.

A touch short, on the stumps, Sanjay Krishnamurthi powers it down to long on for a single. 11 runs from the over.

He gets across in the crease and nudges the length ball through mid-wicket for a single.

On a fuller length, at 94.3 kph, on middle. Sanjay Krishnamurthi mistimes the slog sweep off the top edge. But luckily for him, the ball lands in the safe zone, ahead of the converging deep mid-wicket fielder for a single.

Full and on middle, Shubham Ranjane clips it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Stump-to-stump, on a length, Sanjay wrists it into the vacant mid-wicket region for a single. Axar himself chases it to his right.

SIX! PUNISHED! Axar drops it short and on the leg stump, Sanjay Krishnamurthi rocks back quickly and nails the pull shot behind deep mid-wicket for a massive six.

Slower one again, short and outside off, Sanjay Krishnamurthi slashes it uppishly and on the bounce to deep backward point for a single.

Short ball, off pace, on middle. Shubham waits and hooks it to deep backward square leg for a single.

FOUR! Into the gap! In the arc, full and on middle. Shubham Ranjane whips off the pads, in the deep mid-wicket and long on gap. Tilak Varma sprints to his right, dives to flick the ball in, but it evades him into the ropes.

Off-cutter, on a back of a length, Ranjane punches it to cover.

Fuller and on off, Krishnamurthi has a big swing at it. Slices it off the outer half to the right of deep point for a single.

On top of off, on a back of a length, Sanjay Krishnamurthi taps it down to backward point.

A crushing blow for the USA. Shubham Ranjane walks out to bat.

OUT! STUMPED! That's like a hammerblow to the USA. This partnership was budding so nicely for them. Varun lands it short and it is the googly that spins back into the batter, over middle and leg, cramping the batter for space. Milind plays all over it and is beaten on the inside edge and keeps wandering down the track, not realising that the ball has not gone past the keeper. Ishan Kishan moves to his left and gets into a bit of a juggling act before he finally dislodges the bails off with Milind way out of his crease. The third umpire is called into action to check the stumping. The replay shows that Kishan kept trying to nestle the ball in his gloves and just managed to do so right before the stumps were broken. A run-a-ball 34 for Kumar. The USA are now 71/4, needing 91 from 48 balls.

Gone? Milind Kumar is well out of his ground. The batter thought that the ball went past Ishan Kishan and set off. The third umpire wants to check whether Ishan had the ball in hand as he broke the stumps.

Fires it on a length just outside off. Krishnamurthi inside-edges it onto the pad and this time the ball rolls a little wider into the point region, allowing a run.

Good length, goes straight on middle. Sanjay is pinned on the back foot, looks to block, but the ball brushes the inside edge and deflects off the back thigh to short third.

Impressive running! Pitched full and around the off stump, Sanjay Krishnamurthi leans forward and caresses it through the cover-point region for a couple of runs.

FOUR! The runs have started to flow for the USA! Short and wide outside off, a leg break, Sanjay Krishnamurthi hangs deep in the crease and cuts it like a knife past the short third fielder for a boundary.

Pushed flatter and fuller, on middle and leg, Milind Kumar sweeps it to short fine leg and skates through for a tight single.

SIX! BANG! A real slot ball by Hardik, on middle. Sanjay Krishnamurthi gets his front leg out of the way and smokes it cleanly over long on for a massive six. 14 runs from the over. The 50-run partnership is up with that.

WIDE! For height! Bangs one halfway into the pitch, outside off, Sanjay tries to execute the ramp shot, but misses as the ball flies above his head height.

A well-executed short ball, on off, Milind Kumar miscues the pull shot. The ball holds on the surface and arrives later than Milind expected it to. He slices it off the toe end over mid on. The long on fielder moves across to his left and fields it. One taken.

Back of a length, outside off, Sanjay Krishnamurthi chop-cuts it to deep backward point for a run.

A stifled appeal for LBW! On a back of a length from Hardik, jagging back in off the pitch, on leg. Milind Kumar gets across and tries to nudge it to the leg side, but plays over it and is rapped on the thigh pad. A slight appeal for LBW, but not given. After a long chat with the keeper, Suryakumar Yadav sends it upstairs for a review. Nothing on the UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows the ball is projected to go over the leg stump by a fair bit. The on-field decision is upheld. India lose a review.

Short and outside off, nipping in. Milind looks to pull, but inside edges. The ball bounces past the stumps to the keeper.

FOUR! Off the edge! Just a bit of an away shape, full and outside off, Milind Kumar throws his bat away from his body for a drive, but gets a thick outside edge and the ball squirrels away to the deep third fence, beating the fielder to his left. 50 UP FOR THE USA!

Halfway reached. USA are 49/3. At the same stage, India were 63/4. USA need 113 more from 60 balls. Hardik Pandya is called into the attack now.

Short and on top of off, Kumar punches it to deep cover for another single.

A mix-up but no harm done! Fuller and on off, Kumar taps it off the front foot to the right of point. He sets off before being sent back and puts in a desperate dive to get in. Ishan Kishan collects and whips the bails off. It is referred upstairs and the replays find Kumar to be safe.

SIX! Clean strike! Axar offers flight, on a length and keeps it a bit wide. Milind Kumar gets the width to free his arms and he gets low before thumping it over long on for a six. First boundary after 23 balls for the USA.

Very full, on off, Milind drills it back at Axar.

Fractionally short, around off, Sanjay hangs back and punches it to deep point for a run.

Full and on off, Krishnamurthi punches it to cover off the front foot.

Wrong'un, on a length, on middle. Kumar keeps it out from the crease.

Krishnamurthi gets back in the nick of time! Pushed through, short and on off, Sanjay guides it to short third and wants a quick single but is sent back and rightly so as the short third fielder was quick to get rid of the ball. Krishnamurthi slid his bat in before Ishan Kishan whipped the bails.

On off, keeps it short, Krishnamurthi flat bats it to long on.

Short and around off, dabbed to backward point.

Short and on middle, Kumar pulls it to deep backward square leg and picks up a single.

This keeps coming into the right-hander, on a length, on middle and leg. Kumar is beaten on the flick and gets rapped on the front pad. An optimistic shout for LBW but that was going down leg.

Flat and full, on off, Milind makes room and caresses it to cover, where Tilak Varma gets low but lets it through and concedes a couple of runs.

Hands on heads stuff! Full and attacking the stumps, Milind Kumar gets down on a knee and goes hard on the slog sweep. Ekes out an inside edge onto the back thigh.

Shorter and quicker, on off, Milind taps it to cover.

Miscued but safe! Floated up, on off, Krishnamurthi has a big swing at it. Slices it off the outer half and Tilak Varma goes after it but the ball drops out of his reach. They cross.

Fuller and on middle, Kumar pushes it to long on for a run.

What a ball first up! Slanting in from around the wicket before straightening with bounce. Milind Kumar reaches out in front and looks to clip it away with a closed bat face. Gets beaten all ends up and the ball goes over the off stump.

Trial by spin from both ends. Axar Patel is brought into the attack, replacing Mohammed Siraj.

Fractionally short, on middle and leg. Krishnamurthi rocks on the back foot and is tucked up for room but manages to pull it wide of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Short and cutting back in, on off and middle. Sanjay Krishnamurthi defends it off the back foot.

Keeps it full, on off, Kumar pushes it to long off and gets to the other end.

Floated up, fuller and on off, Milind lunges and looks to defend it late. The ball rolls towards his back leg but far away from the stumps.

Angled in at the pads, on the shorter side, Krishnamurthi nurdles it behind square on the leg side for one.

Flat and short, on off, Kumar chops it in front of short third and takes a quick single. A wild throw by Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan is beaten but the throw is backed up by the mid-wicket fielder.

DRINKS BREAK. Not at all a pleasing start for the USA in the chase after restricting India to a middling total. After 6 overs, USA are 31/3. At the same stage, India were 46/4. The USA have lost their top three, including the skipper Monank and the aggressive Gous as well, and need a partnership. Arshdeep Singh and Siraj have bowled excellent opening spells and have got the rewards too. With not much dew around and the ball holding on well on the surface, India would look to further clamp down on the scoring in this middle phase through their spin attack. Talking about spin, here comes Varun Chakaravarthy into the attack, replacing Arshdeep Singh.

On a good length, attacking the off pole. Kumar drops it with soft hands in front of cover and calls Sanjay through for a quick single.

FOUR! Nicely done! Nipping back in, closer to the off pole, on a short of a length. Milind lets the ball come to him and uses the pace of the ball. Steers it with an open bat face between short third and backward point for a four.

A loose poke but Kumar gets away with it! On a good length, outside off, Milind fiddles away from his body and does not move his feet at all. The ball nips away to beat the bat.

Nearly trickled back onto the stumps! Slower one, fuller and on off, Krishnamurthi looks to force it away on the off side. Gets an inside edge onto the strip and the ball bounces beside the leg stump before rolling behind. The batters sneak in a quick single.

In the channel, on a short of a length, Sanjay stands tall and punches it firmly, but picks out the cover fielder.

Full and on leg, Milind Kumar clips it off the pads to deep backward square leg for a single.

Shaping back in, on a back of a length, on off. Milind Kumar chops it behind point for a single. End of an eventful over. 9 runs off it. USA are 24/3, needing 138 runs in 90 balls..

FOUR! A good effort in the deep goes in vain. Short ball on leg stump. Milind picks the length early and pulls it to the right of deep square leg. Rinku charges across and dives full stretch, but the ball beats him to the ropes.

A length ball, outside off, Sanjay Krishnamurthi steers it to deep backward point for a run.

Close chance! Good length outside off. Milind opens the face and steers it to widish short third for a sharp single. Siraj darts in a throw at the batting end, but misses to score the direct hit.

On a length, outside off, Sanjay plays off the back foot and guides it wide of short third for a single.

DROPPED! Had Siraj taken, that would have been an absolute screamer. Back of a length around off, nibbling away. Milind throws his hands at it. The ball flies off the outside edge towards the right of short third. Siraj flings himself in that direction, gets both hands on the ball, but it just doesn't stick. They cross.

Well bowled! Directs a sharp bumper, outside off. It keeps climbing on the batter and Sanjay Krishnamurthi arches back and decides to leave.

Short of a length, outside off, Milind Kumar rides the bounce and glides it to deep backward point for a run.

Honing in on the off stump, on a good length, Milind Kumar drops his bat down on the ball and pats it back on the strip.

Hard length, outside off, Sanjay Krishnamurthi plays it very late, and dabs it to deep backward point for an easy single.

Problems rising for the USA early doors. Sanjay Krishnamurthi is in at number 5.

OUT! TAKEN EASILY! Siraj gets his second wicket. The USA have been dented badly inside the powerplay. Fuller in length, nipping in slightly from middle and stopping on the batter. Saiteja Mukkamalla attempts a flick, but his bat gets twisted at the point of contact and the ball gets aired towards mid-wicket. Varun Chakaravarthy keeps his calm and takes a simple catch over his head. Saiteja Mukkamalla departs on 2 (7) and the USA are 13/3, needing 149 more.

Pitched full and angled in on the pads, Milind Kumar flicks it to deep backward square leg for a single.

PLAY AND A MISS! Cuts away from the batter, on a back of a length, outside off, Saiteja Mukkamalla flays at it on the back foot, looking for a square cut, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Straight and full, outside off, Saiteja Mukkamalla presents full face of the bat on the front foot, and drives it to the cover fielder.

On top of off, on a back of a length. Saiteja Mukkamalla angles it to backward point.

BEATEN! Bangs it short and outside off, it keeps nibbling away with some bounce and beats Saiteja on an attempted back foot punch to the off side. Zips past the outside edge by a kitten whisker.

Full, shaping in on the pads, this is clipped by Milind through backward square leg for a single.

Milind Kumar makes his way out to the centre.

OUT! CAUGHT! The USA skipper departs without any impact and India have two inside the Powerplay. Singh lands it just outside the leg stump and gets it to swing away a bit from leg. Monank Patel tries to flick it to the leg side, but gets a massive leading edge. The ball lobs towards mid off and Shivam Dube gets a simple catching practice inside the ring. USA are 11/2, chasing 162.

Full and outside off, Saiteja Mukkamalla slices it over point. Tilak gives it a chase and cuts it off before the ropes. Two taken.

Good length on middle and leg, angling in at 139.6 kph. Patel shapes up for the flick, misses it completely, and the ball thuds into his front pad before rolling away to backward square leg. A leg bye is taken.

An early blow to the USA. In walks their skipper, Monank Patel.

OUT! TAKEN! Inducted into the side at the eleventh hour, Siraj strikes in his very first over. That was actually hit pretty well by Gous, but unlucky that he found the fielder. Was a full ball from Siraj, outside the off stump line, with a lateral movement away from him. Andries Gous cracked the cover drive, but failed to keep it along the ground. The ball went low towards the cover-point fielder. Tilak Varma got down on his haunches and scooped the ball before the grass cleanly. 6 (9) for Gous. The USA are 8/1, chasing 162.

Drags the length back, does Siraj. Over off with a bit of nip away on it. Andries Gous rocks back and taps it out to cover.

SIX! HIGH AND HANDSOME! First runs off the bat. Siraj serves it on middle, full in length. Andries Gous sends it soaring over long on for a mammoth six.

Sharp outswing, very full and wide outside off, Andries Gous reaches out for a cover drive, but misses to connect.

Who will it be from the other end? Hardik Pandya or Mohammed Siraj? It is going to be the latter. Not picked in the squad initially, but an injury to Harshit Rana paved the way for Siraj. He last played a T20I for India in July 2024.

A gentle inswinger, on a good length, on leg, Saiteja Mukkamalla prods half forward and nudges it to mid-wicket. Just 2 from the first over.

Pitched outside leg, moves away, Andries Gous tries to flick off the pads, but misses and the ball lobs off the front pad to the point region. They cross for a leg bye.

WIDE! A loosener from Arshdeep. Swings one down leg, on a fractionally fuller length. Andries Gous looks to whip that to the leg side, but gets no connection. Ishan gathers the ball to his left.

An away-angler, on a good length, on off, Andries Gous rides the bounce and dabs it to cover-point.

On a back of a length, on top of off, Andries Gous hangs back and bunts it down the pitch.

BEATEN! Swings the other way now. The ball lands and curves away late from the batter, angling outside off, full in length. Andries Gous does not move his feet and goes for a drive, but the ball zips past the outside edge.

On the money! A hint of an inward shape, around off, on a fuller length. Andries Gous presses in front and drives it to the short cover fielder.

OUT! VARUN CHAKARAVARTHY IS RUN OUT! A low full toss outside off. Slowish delivery at 102.9 kph. SKY gets down on one knee and sweeps it across to deep mid-wicket for a single. Varun looks for the second and is more than halfway down the pitch, but is sent back by Yadav. Gous collects Mohammad Mohsin’s throw from the deep and flicks it onto the stumps with Varun out by a country mile. INDIA FINISH ON 161/9.

Length delivery on off, the slower one. Suryakumar Yadav doesn’t pick the change of pace, is through the shot too early, looks to sweep and misses. Wears it on the arm and the ball dribbles away to point.

FOUR! Saurabh Netravalkar has been taken to the cleaners. Cutter on a length on off. SKY reads it early, moves across in the crease, and scoops it over short fine leg and falls over on the pitch as he plays the shot. The ball races away to the ropes. 20 runs from the over, with two balls to go.

SIX! Showing his full range of shots, is Suryakumar Yadav! A full toss at knee height from Saurabh, around off. SKY takes it on the full and hoists it high and handsome over long off for six more.

SIX! Such an audacious shot! Full and outside off. Suryakumar maneuvers across, loses his balance and falls over as he scoops it over deep fine leg. He still manages to get it off the middle, and the ball sails over the ropes for a six. 150 UP FOR INDIA!

FOUR! Quality shot from Suryakumar! Saurabh rolls his fingers on the ball. At 106.9 kph, full and slower outside off. SKY bends his back knee and slices it neatly through the gap between backward point and cover-point for a boundary.

Varun Chakaravarthy walks out to bat, but for now, it will be Suryakumar Yadav on strike. Time for the final over. Saurabh Netravalkar to bowl. It has been a rare, expensive outing for Netravalkar. Gone for 44 runs in his 3 overs so far.

OUT! CAUGHT! Well, it was a free hit for Arshdeep, and he had to swing at it. Shadley van Schalkwyk takes pace off, on a fractionally fuller length. Arshdeep Singh sits deep in the crease and tries to loft it straight down the ground, but ends up slicing it towards long off. Milind Kumar moves a bit to his left and takes his third catch of the match. Shadley van Schalkwyk completes his four-wicket haul.

It is effectively a free hit for Arshdeep Singh as Suryakumar Yadav will want to be on strike for the final over.

WIDE! Way outside off and beyond the guideline. Arshdeep leaves. Wide called.

Wide yorker, outside off, carved over backward point for a single.

SIX! INTO THE CROWD! From around the stump, Shadley van Schalkwyk bowls it across the batter, full in length. Suryakumar Yadav plants his back knee into the pitch and slog sweeps it powerfully over the deep square leg fence for half a dozen. Shadley van Schalkwyk does not shy away from admiring that stroke from SKY.

A full toss, outside off, Suryakumar Yadav shanks it off the toe end to the long on region. They do not run as the second run was not on.

FOUR! A shot of high quality from the Indian captain! Shadley takes pace off, on a good length, around off, Suryakumar Yadav sees the ball till the last moment, waits for it and smashes it over the leaping mid off fielder for a boundary.

Smart bowling! Seeing SKY shuffling outside leg, Shadley van Schalkwyk fires one wide outside off, and just inside the tramline. Suryakumar Yadav leaves.

Not good signs for the USA as Shubham Ranjane is helped off the field by the physio. Monank Patel turns to Shadley van Schalkwyk. 3-0-13-3 so far for Shadley.

Another low full toss from Shubham, around off, Arshdeep gets down on his knee and heaves it along the turf to long on. Suryakumar denies the single. A fantastic over from Ranjane. Just 6 runs from it.

Another man down? Shubham Ranjane is experiencing some discomfort. The physio is out for a check. Looks like a right knee issue. He gingerly walks over to his mark. Ranjane is going to give it a go.

Excellent stop! A low full toss, on off, Singh drags it across from the inner half to the left of the bowler. Shubham Ranjane flings himself to stop the ball with a dive, and does so very well. But he seems to have buckled his knees while doing that.

A gentle-paced delivery, full and on the stumps, Arshdeep digs it back at the bowler.

Short of a length outside off at 109.8 kph, pace taken off and dug into the pitch. SKY looks to pull but drags it with the bottom hand coming off, managing a single to deep mid-wicket.

WIDE! Tries to keep it away from the hitting arc, and serves it beyond the tramline, full in length. Suryakumar again shuffles a long way across to play the paddle, but misses to get any connection. This is called a Wide.

Full and slow at 115 kph, outside off, driven off the front foot to extra cover.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR SURYAKUMAR YADAV! Off 36 deliveries. His 25th T20I fifty. A wide full toss, miles outside off, shuffles across, and whips it over the square leg fielder and picks up a boundary to get to his milestone. A true captain's knock from SKY. The Wankhede crowd appreciates this innings and the Indian skipper acknowledges it with a raise of the bat.

Ali Khan is back. A big relief for the USA. Did we speak too soon? Ali runs in but bails out. Appears to be a groin issue which is bothering him. Oh, no, he is walking off the field. Shubham Ranjane (1-0-10-0) to bowl the 18th over.

FOUR! That's so casually played! A drag-downer from Harmeet, outside the off stump line. Arshdeep Singh stands tall and bangs it straight over the bowler's head for a cracking boundary.

Full and around the off pole, Singh eases it across to mid-wicket.

OUT! CAUGHT! Wicket number 2 for Harmeet Singh as he breaks the 41-run partnership. Full and around off at 98.1 kph, spinning in just a touch. Axar clears the front leg, looks to go over deep mid-wicket, but can’t time it or generate the power. Sails it towards deep mid-wicket and Mohammad Mohsin is a few yards in off the ropes and accepts a straightforward catch, with a reverse cup. 14 off 11 for Axar Patel and India are 118/7. Arshdeep Singh is the new batter.

Believe it or not, that is the first extra of the innings by the USA!

WIDE! Darted far down the leg side, on a fuller length. Axar leaves.

Full and on the stumps, an in-angler, Suryakumar Yadav drives it inside out to deep extra cover for a single.

BEATEN! A full ball that grips and turns away prodigiously, around off. Suryakumar Yadav gets sucked onto the front foot and tries to drive away from the body, but the ball fizzes past his outside edge.

Flat and outside off, on a length, spinning in. Axar stays leg side, dabs it to the right of short third for a single.

Harmeet Singh (3-0-19-1) will bowl out now. Can he land another blow in his final over?

SIX! KABOOM! Saurabh lands it right into the slot, full and around off. Suryakumar Yadav nonchalantly whips it using his bottom hand and sails it cleanly over deep mid-wicket for a big six. The Indian skipper moves to 46 from 33 balls. 21 runs from the over.

FOUR! Extraordinary shot from SKY! Saurabh rolls the fingers and bowls a length ball, far outside off. Suryakumar Yadav covers the stumps, fetches the ball, brings his wrists in play and whips it into the deep mid-wicket and deep square leg gap for a boundary.

Full and on off, Axar Patel drills it down to long on for a single.

Oh, dear! That does not look good at all for Ali Khan. His knee got stuck in the turf, and he seems to have injured his right groin. The physio is out to have a look. A magic spray is being applied to the affected area. Ali is going off the field with the physio. He has a couple of overs left. It will spoil the plans of Monank Patel if Khan does not return.

Identical line and length, pace off too, outside the off stump. Axar plays a similar shot to the deep third region. Ali Khan sprints after it from short third and this time, he manages to cut it off before the ropes. Saves two for his side. But in that process, Khan has badly jarred his knee while sliding and needs a bit of medical treatment.

FOUR! Cunningly played! A slower cutter, nipping back in from outside off, on a fuller length. Axar Patel reads the pace off nicely, waits on it and deftly places it fine enough of the short third fielder for a boundary. 100 UP FOR INDIA!

FOUR! SLASHED AWAY! Back of a length, wide outside off, asking to be hit. Axar Patel hangs back and cuts it behind square through backward point for a boundary. The deep cover fielder stands no chance in stopping that.

Fuller and quicker, on off, Axar smears it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Short and on middle, turned in front of square on the leg side for a single.

FOUR! Saiteja Mukkamalla's effort goes in vain. Short and around the off stump, Suryakumar Yadav stays leg side of the ball and waits on it before cutting it in front of the diving backward point fielder. Mukkamalla is quick across the turf in the deep and dives to push the ball away from the fence. The batters run two. The third umpire is summoned for a check. The replays find that Saiteja's feet were in contact with the boundary cushions when he had the ball in hand. Given as a boundary.

Shorter and at the hips, Axar nurdles it behind square and crosses over.

Full and attacking the front pad, Axar clips it to mid-wicket.

Full and drifting in at the pads, Suryakumar Yadav clips it square on the leg side and gets to the other end.

DRINKS BREAK. With India reeling at 86/6, there’s not a cent of doubt the drink will taste a lot sweeter for the USA. Gautam Gambhir walks out to the middle to have a word with the batters. The message is likely about batting till the end and guiding India out of this precarious situation. The predictions were 200-plus before the start of this game, but it looks nowhere even close to that right now for India. If the USA manage to fish SKY out quickly, they will have a big chance to restrict India below 150. Harmeet Singh to bowl after the break.

Floated up, fuller and on middle, Suryakumar Yadav wrists it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Keeps it flat and short, on off, Yadav glides it to short third.

Oh, that kicked up! Mohsin bowls it shorter and on off. A premeditated attempt at the sweep by Suryakumar Yadav. The ball goes over his blade and catches him on the right shoulder before lobbing in front of the short third fielder.

FOUR! Good shot! Drags the length back, does Mohsin, on off. Suryakumar Yadav gets down on a knee, reaches out in front and he is able to roll his wrists on the ball. Goes hard on the sweep and plays it to the right of deep square leg for a four.

Full and angled in, on middle, SKY brings his bottom hand into play and whips it between deep mid-wicket and long on. Two fielders converge and they are able to mop it up. Another couple of runs for the Indian skipper.

Fine stop! Full and around off, Suryakumar Yadav reaches out in front and gets his hands low. He sweeps it behind square, where Ali Khan sprints and dives to his right to save a couple of runs for his side.

An inside edge saves Axar Patel! Short and quick, on middle. Axar looks to play it off the back foot and just about manages to get some bat on it before the ball hits the back thigh. Patel was right in front of the stumps.

This grips and turns, on the shorter side, on middle. Axar Patel stays back to block it off.

The Indians are shellshocked at the moment. This is the last recognized batting pair as Axar Patel comes in at number 8.

OUT! CAUGHT! Hardik Pandya bites the dust. Harmeet Singh is off on a celebratory run. Harmeet slows it down and drags the length back, on off. Pandya gets on his toes inside the crease and looks to slam it over extra cover off the back foot. The ball spins a bit to catch the outer half and he ends up slicing it to deep cover, where Saiteja Mukkamalla settles under it and makes no mistake. A despondent Gautam Gambhir watches on in the dugout. Hardik falls for 5 off 6 and India are 77/6.

Shorter and on off, Hardik steers it to short third.

FOUR! In the gap! Harmeet gives the ball a bit of air, on off, Hardik jumps down the pitch and although he yorks himself slightly, he manages to hit wide of deep cover to his right for a four.

Flat and short, speared in, on middle. Pandya stabs it down from the crease.

Looped up, full and on off, Hardik hammers it along the ground to long off for a run.

Tossed up, on off, Hardik gets on the front foot and taps it to cover.

India in a deep trouble now. In walks Hardik Pandya at number 7. A slip in place for him.

OUT! CAUGHT! This was coming. Rinku Singh was itching to break free. Googly from Mohsin, full and on off. Rinku does not pick the wrong'un and swings at it. Ends up dragging it down to long on off the inner half of the blade. It goes flat and straight to Milind Kumar, who takes a few steps in off the ropes and does the rest. A struggling stay for Rinku, 6 runs off 14 balls. India have now lost half their side for 72.

Fuller and on off, Suryakumar plants his front foot across and sweeps it firmly behind square leg. Ali Khan tidies up in the deep. They cross.

Short and outside off, Rinku hangs back and slaps it to deep cover for one.

Googly, short and outside off, Rinku picks it from the hand and cuts it to backward point.

Floated up, on off, Yadav checks his drive and plays it to cover.

Flighted delivery, full and on off, Suryakumar knocks it to cover.

MISFIELD, FOUR! Sloppy from Shadley van Schalkwyk. Coming in with the arm, short and on middle. SKY goes on the back foot and whips it to deep mid-wicket. The second run was always on. Shadley gets around to cut it off. He gets low to mop it up but the ball goes through his hands and then through his legs for a four.

Low full toss, on off, Rinku smacks it to long on and crosses over.

Well bowled! From around the wicket for the right-hander, fuller and in line with the off stump. SKY covers the line for the block but the ball straightens a bit. Gets it off the outer half to short third for a single.

Harmeet pushes it through first up, short and on middle. Rinku hangs back and nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

DROPPED? Going by Shubham's reactions, it does look like he grassed the chance. Very full on the off stump line, Suryakumar Yadav looks to flick across, but the bat turns at the point of contact and it lobs straight back at the bowler. It dips on Ranjana, who gets both hands on it on the follow-through by bending low, but cannot hold onto it. A tough chance, and SKY gets a reprieve. At the halfway mark, India are 63/4.

FOUR! Top placement! Width on offer, full and wide outside off, Suryakumar Yadav crouches a bit, waits for the ball to come, opens the bat face at the last second and beats the short third fielder to his right for a boundary.

Overpitched on middle and leg, SKY carves it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Up and over! Ranjane goes full and on the stumps. Suryakumar Yadav stays leg side and lofts it to the right of the mid off fielder for a cracking boundary. First boundary for India in 27 balls.

Full and outside off, Rinku Singh laces it through cover. The deep point fielder sprints across to the left and intercepts the ball. One taken.

Slower delivery at 118 kph, full and on middle, Suryakumar Yadav drills it to the right of mid off. The fielder throws himself with a dive and they get a single.

Shubham Ranjane comes in the attack, replacing fellow medium-pacer Shadley van Schalkwyk.

Play and a miss! Pushed outside off, on a fuller length, Rinku Singh plays the premeditated reverse sweep, only to miss. Andries Gous collects the ball to his left and whips the bails off, but Rinku's feet never left the crease. Nonetheless, a miserly over from Mohammad Mohsin.

Around off, on a length, Rinku dabs it to short third.

Does not get it through again! Flat and quick, short, outside off, Rinku cuts off the back foot but finds the fielder at cover-point.

Drags the length, on leg, Rinku Singh mistimes the pull shot off the splice of the bat. It rolls behind to short fine leg.

Full and a googly this time, on middle, Suryakumar Yadav uses his wrists to nudge it down to long on for a run.

Tossed up full and on off, Suryakumar Yadav presses in front and drives it to cover.

Hits the deck hard, at 129.5 kph, angled at the pads. Suryakumar Yadav whips it to the left of deep mid-wicket for a single. Just 8/3 from the last 3 overs for India. Excellent going for the USA.

Pace on now, slammed into the pitch, across the batter, Rinku Singh plays it late and guides it to short third. The fielder there dives to his left and cuts it down to a single.

Another cutter, on a hard length, angling in, Suryakumar Yadav tucks it through the mid on region for a single. 50 UP FOR INDIA!

Slower one, full and in and around middle, Suryakumar Yadav forces the drive to the cover fielder.

This one kicks up a bit, on a length, a cross-seam ball, on top of off. Suryakumar Yadav plays with soft hands and fends it to the cover region.

No hat trick for Shadley! On a good length, on off, Suryakumar Yadav plays off the back foot and knocks it back at the bowler.

On a lower trajectory, this is a length ball, on off, Rinku Singh gets little space to work with and dabs it to the off side.

BEATEN! A flat ball, at 87.1 kph, outside off, on a fuller length. Rinku Singh goes for an expansive drive to the off side, but gets beaten on the outside edge by a whisker.

A leg break, full and on off, SKY eases the drive to long off for a run.

Darted on the pads, on a length, Rinku presses back and nudges it to square leg for a single and gets off the mark.

Length ball on middle. SKY shuffles across and works it to long on for a single.

Nice and full, on off, Yadav pushes it to cover.

The start gets even better for the USA. From being 45/1, India are now 46/4. Rinku Singh joins Suryakumar Yadav out in the middle. We are done with the Powerplay. First look at spin as the leggie Mohammad Mohsin comes in.

OUT! TOP EDGE AND CAUGHT! This is going from bad to worse for the Indians now. Deceptive slower ball by Shadley van Schalkwyk, short into the pitch, on the leg stump line. Shivam Dube goes for a half-hearted pull shot, but swings his bat way too early and top edges the ball towards short fine leg. Saurabh Netravalkar moves to his right at short fine leg and takes the catch over his head. A golden duck ​​​for Shivam Dube. Shadley will be on a hat-trick at the start of his next over.

The USA could not have asked for a better start. Shivam Dube makes his way out to the centre.

OUT! MISTIMED AND TAKEN! The Indian top three are back in the hut inside the Powerplay. This is a strong start by the USA. Shadley slams the deck really hard and keeps the line around the off stump. Tilak Varma shapes up for the pull shot, but the ball gets big on him and ends up top edging it towards the mid-wicket fielder. The skipper, Monank Patel, takes a simple catch at the edge of the ring. Tilak Varma goes after a good start. 25 off 16 for him and India are 46/3.

Off cutter, on a length, on off, Suryakumar Yadav drills it back past the bowler for a single down the ground.

On the money! Back of a length, slanted into the batter's body. Suryakumar Yadav plays from the crease and blocks it out.

Shubham Ranjane will be a relieved man. With the fall of Ishan Kishan, the umpires have called for a DRINKS BREAK. The USA have come out with some really good plans and have bowled to their fields. India haven’t quite been allowed the flying start they have managed in recent times, but the USA will know that India bat deep, and they will need to keep chipping away. In walks the Indian skipper, Suryakumar Yadav.

OUT! CAUGHT! Shadley provides an important breakthrough and Ishan's dropped catch in the previous over doesn't cost the USA much. Shadley lands it in thereabouts of the off pole, on a fuller length. Ishan Kishan tries to smash it over the mid off fielder, but does not get cleanly under the ball and airs it flat to Milind Kumar stationed in the ring, who takes a fine catch. He tumbles to his right, but maintains possession of the ball in his hands. Ishan Kishan departs for 20 (16), and India are 45/2.

Short of a length, over off, Varma miscues the heave wide of mid-wicket for a quick single.

35 runs in the last 3 overs for India. Shadley van Schalkwyk to continue from this end.

SIX! Picked up and it goes all the way! Full and on middle from around the wicket, Kishan brings his bottom hand into play and goes aerially with the pick-up shot. There is a fielder at deep square leg, but he can only watch it sail over his head. An over where the USA could have had Ishan goes for 11 runs.

FOUR! Smashed! A yorker gone wrong for Ali. A half-volley, on off. Kishan creams the drive wide of cover and the sweeper cover stands no chance.

Short and zipping through, around leg, Ishan gets inside the line for the hook but misses.

DROPPED! Straight in and out. That should have been taken. Shubham Ranjane is the guilty party. Very full, nearly in the blockhole, on off. Kishan gets his bat down and slices it. It goes straight to backward point. It comes at midriff height but Ranjane cannot cling on. Ali Khan lets his disappointment be known to Shubham.

Into the wicket, on off, Ishan stays leg side to run it down but is beaten due to the slowness of the ball.

Full and on off, Varma pushes it to mid on, where a misfield allows the batters to cross over.

Change of ends for Ali Khan. Fished out Abhishek Sharma in his first over and gave just 2 runs. He replaces Saurabh Netravalkar.

TOUGH CHANCE! It will be harsh to call that a dropped catch. Length delivery, on off, Tilak has a big swing at it and he crunches it back at the bowler. Shadley van Schalkwyk gets both hands high around his chest but the ball bursts through and goes behind, deflecting toward mid on for a single.

Full and outside off, Varma cracks the drive to the right of mid off. The fielder slides to his right but parries behind, allowing the batters to take one more.

Full and on off, Tilak knocks it to mid off.

FOUR! Agricultural but effective! Across off, on a slightly back of a length. Tilak has a heave across the line. Smears it off the inner half in front of deep square leg. The fielder sprints and slides to his right in the deep but the ball wins the race.

Angling away, on a good length, Ishan punches it firmly to deep cover for a single.

Going across the left-hander, on a length, Kishan reaches out for the drive but the bat turns in his hand and he miscues it back to the bowler.

So just one over for Ali Khan despite a cracking opening spell. He is replaced by Shadley van Schalkwyk.

FOUR! Just over! Saurabh bowls it on a length, angled in, on middle and leg. Verma gets his hands through the line of the ball and plays the lofted drive with a high elbow. He gets enough bat on it to clear the leaping mid on fielder and it goes behind for a boundary.

Into the surface, on off. Verma hangs on the back foot and punches it to cover without much timing.

In and around the off pole, on a nagging length. Kishan knocks it in front of cover and gets to the other end.

On off, on a length, Varma pats it wide of cover and crosses over.

FOUR! Gets it away! Andries Gous comes up to the stumps. Netravalkar attacks the front pad with a good-length ball, on middle. Tilak presses half-forward and brings his bat out in front. Gets more of an inside edge and it races fine of the man placed at deep fine leg, who is a bit square.

SIX! High and long enough! Saurabh Netravalkar goes full in search of swing and finds a bit of away shape, around off. Tilak shimmies down to the pitch of the ball and goes back over the bowler's head. Nowhere close to the middle of the bat but he clears the long off fence for a six.

Khan hits the bat hard with a good-length delivery, honing in on the off stump. Tilak punches it in front of mid on and takes a quick single to open his account.

Serious wheels! At 142.8 kph, a sharp bumper, around the left shoulder. Tilak swivels for the hook but the ball gets big on him and he is also beaten for pace. The ball sails over his blade.

Ali pushes the length up, on off, Varma pushes out in front of his body and plays it back to the bowler. Ali fakes a throw back at the batter and the crowd do not seem to like it.

Hits the deck hard, does Ali, on top of off. Tilak rides the bounce and stabs it down on the strip.

USA are elated to send back the dangerous Abhishek Sharma on his first ball. Tilak Varma walks in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! The field was set, the bait was laid, and Sharma has walked straight into the trap. A deathly silence at the Wankhede as Abhishek goes for a golden duck. Angling away from over the wicket, on a back of a length. Sharma stays on the back foot and stands tall to carve it away on the off side. Fails to hit it wide enough of the fielder in the deep. Sanjay Krishnamurthi moves to his left at deep cover and takes the catch around his chest. Ali Khan breaks the opening partnership. India are 8/1.

Skidding through, on top of off, on a good length. Ishan hops on the back foot and steers it with an open bat face to deep third for a run.

A mixed bag of an opening over. Not much excessive movement for Saurabh from this end. Ali Khan to operate from the other end.

This is on the fuller side, on off, Ishan fiddles at it without any foot movement. The ball catches an inside edge and goes behind on the leg side for a single.

SIX! The fielder in the deep was for a moment in business. Fractionally short, on off, Kishan crouches in the crease to get under the ball and plays the half-pull. He takes on the fielder at deep backward square leg and manages to clear him. Ishan Kishan and India are on their way.

Saurabh keeps it nice and full, on off, Ishan dances down the track and swings at it. He loses his shape and drags it off the inner half to mid-wicket.

Nearly sneaked through! Testing last couple of balls from Netravalkar. Fuller and nipping back in off the seam, on middle. A tentative prod by Kishan and he ekes out an inside edge onto the pads.

Rapped on the pads! Saurabh Netravalkar goes up but that looked high. Jagging back in, on a back of a length, on middle. Kishan hops to deal with it but is beaten on the inside edge and gets hit high on the back thigh.

Good stop! Netravalkar starts with a full ball, outside off, Ishan presses forward and reaches out for the drive. Gets it off the outer half to backward point, where Shubham Ranjane dives to his right and saves a certain boundary. Ranjane gets a pat on the back from his teammates around him.

Done with all the pre-match formalities and it is time to get going in the City of Dreams. The two umpires make their way to the middle and Paul Reiffel collects the ball. The players of USA get into a huddle before scattering across the park to take their spots on the field. The crowd at Wankhede goes nuts as Ishan Kishan walks out to open with Abhishek Sharma. Ishan will take the strike. Saurabh Netravalkar will open the attack with the new ball. There is a bit of a delay as Kishan is not happy with the movement around the sightscreen before it is sorted out. A slip in place. Here we go!

The flags of both nations are unfurled in the middle as it is time for the national anthems. Before that, along with the match referee Andy Pycroft and the two umpires, Rohit Sharma, the brand ambassador of this event, carefully carries the trophy out to the centre and places it on the pedestal. Now, both sets of players get lined up beside their respective flags. It will be the USA's national anthem first, followed by that of India.

USA (Playing XI) - Andries Gous (WK), Saiteja Mukkamalla, Milind Kumar, Monank Patel (C), Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Shubham Ranjane, Harmeet Singh, Mohammad Mohsin, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Ali Khan, Saurabh Netravalkar.

India (Playing XI) - Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Varun Chakaravarthy.

The captain of India - Suryakumar Yadav says they were looking to bat first anyway. He feels the wicket looks good and adds that he has played a lot of cricket here. Mentions there is a bit of wind around, and he does not expect much dew. Suryakumar admits there is a little bit of pressure playing a home World Cup, but says the focus is on playing the same brand of cricket they have been playing. Shares that the team had a good practice session last night and believes the surface should hold up well for the next 40 overs. Informs that Jasprit Bumrah is unwell and he misses out, and Mohammed Siraj will play in his place.

The captain of USA - Monank Patel says it looks like a really good surface. Adds it is a high-scoring ground as well and they will try to hunt the target down, as they will know what target they are chasing. Says, to be a part of the World Cup, that too, in India, feels amazing. Says they just want to do their best. Monank further adds that it is a dream come true for a lot of players. Shares that most of the players of Indian origin started their cricketing careers in this part of the world and are now representing the USA, which he calls a great feeling. On the preparations coming into this game, Patel details that they played a couple of warmups at the DY Patil and had a decent run there. About the team combination, Monank informs that they are going with six batters, two all-rounders, and three frontline bowlers.

TOSS - Time for the coin to go up in Mumbai. Suryakumar Yadav and Monank Patel greet each other at the centre, share a smile, and even sneak in a quick joke. Monank calls 'heads' and he gets it right. USA elect to BOWL first.

Star-studded opening ceremony - A grand opening ceremony is underway right now at the Wankhede Stadium. Rishab Sharma and Shivamani are currently setting the tone with their musical performances. Jay Shah, the ICC Chairman, and former India skipper Rohit Sharma now make their way out to the middle. Rohit, who is also the ambassador for this event and captained India to the title in the previous edition, carries the trophy and places it on the pedestal.

Bowling hope for USA - With the ball, their standout has been the left-arm pacer, Saurabh Netravalkar. Since 2024, he has the second-best economy rate (7.32, minimum 20 innings) among pacers from associate nations featuring at this World Cup. Against an Indian side this relentless, the margins are slim, and the USA will need their bowlers to deliver from ball one. Stay tuned for the toss and team news.

USA's key batters - For the USA, the top order will be central to any hopes of springing a surprise. Skipper Monank Patel is their leading run scorer in T20Is, while Andries Gous was their highest run scorer at the 2024 T20 World Cup and holds the record for the most sixes for the USA in T20Is. Those two will be absolutely vital if the Americans are to challenge India’s formidable attack.

A complete T20I side - Their success in this format has been driven by a no-holds-barred approach with the bat. Post the 2024 T20 World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav’s side boasts the best run rate among the top ten T20I teams, scoring at 9.9 an over. They have been just as impressive with the ball, leading the charts in bowling strike rate at 14.3 over the same period, underlining how complete this side has been in the shortest format.

India's dominance - History, form and numbers all point in one direction as India begin yet another T20 World Cup campaign. The Men in Blue are the most successful side in ICC T20 World Cup history in terms of matches won, with 36 victories from 52 games. Starting from the 2023 ODI World Cup, India have won 23 of their 24 matches in ICC white-ball events, with the only blemish coming in the final at Ahmedabad against Australia.

Hello folks! Welcome to what promises to be a fascinating contest, as India, the defending champions, meet ambitious challengers, the USA, at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. On paper, India start clear favourites, but World Cups have a habit of throwing up surprises, and the USA arrive with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

... MATCH DAY ...

Saturday Night Showdown - Mumbai is all decked up and ready as the reigning champions, India, kickstart their title defence against the USA at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. For several Indian origin players in the USA squad, this will be nothing short of a dream come true in the 'City of Dreams'. Growing up, many of them would have imagined playing an international game at Wankhede. While they now wear different colours, the emotion of walking out at this venue will be just as special. This will be a Group A clash, with Pakistan, the Netherlands, and Namibia completing the group. The top two teams will progress to the Super 8 stage. India eye history - India are undoubtedly heavy favourites to defend their title. No team has ever successfully defended the trophy, no host nation has lifted the title at home, and no side has won the tournament three times. As they begin their campaign, Suryakumar Yadav's side has the chance to break all three barriers and script a historic chapter of their own. Since the previous edition of the World Cup in 2024 in the USA and West Indies, the Men in Blue have not lost a single bilateral series, and they also emerged victorious in the Asia Cup. Be it batting depth or the sheer variety in their bowling options, India appear to have all bases covered. Even at the top of the order, where there were earlier concerns, things seem settled now. Sanju Samson's form was under scrutiny, but Ishan Kishan, with an explosive return to the T20I setup, has sealed a spot for himself. The return of Tilak Varma is another boost. Having recovered from his abdominal issue, he featured in warm-up games for India and India A, and will slot in at number three. They do bat deep as deep as number 8, which we saw in their last T20I against New Zealand. That combination is likely to continue, with Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav among the specialist spin options. In a blow to their fast bowling resources, Harshit Rana was ruled out after sustaining a knee injury during the warm-up match against South Africa in Navi Mumbai, with Mohammed Siraj drafted into the squad as his replacement. Rana also added depth with the bat, and while Siraj brings experience, India will miss the all-round balance Rana provided. Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah remain the usual suspects leading the pace attack, with Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube also contributing. Captain Suryakumar Yadav has plenty of part-time bowling options at his disposal as well, with Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma capable of rolling their arm over. USA bring belief - Monank Patel and his men arrive with confidence. In their maiden T20 World Cup in 2024, they proved they are no pushovers by stunning Pakistan in the group stage and qualifying for the Super 8 stage. They last played a competitive T20I in April 2025, but many of their players have stayed in rhythm through franchise leagues. Their narrow loss to New Zealand in a warm-up game will also boost belief, as they lost by just 7 runs while chasing 209. Runs from Saiteja Mukkamalla, Milind Kumar, Shubham Ranjane, and captain Monank Patel were encouraging signs. However, the absence of Aaron Jones, who has been suspended by the ICC over corruption charges, leaves a significant void in the middle order. Andries Gous brings valuable experience after featuring in the ILT20, while Shayan Jahangir is another key batter. However, with the top order looking settled and the middle order already featuring the likes of Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Shubham Ranjane, Jahangir could find himself missing out. A major concern for the USA is the injury to right arm pacer Jasdeep Singh, who hurt his shoulder attempting a catch against New Zealand and had to be stretchered off. With only a day separating that game from the opener, his participation looks unlikely. His absence could open the door for Shadley van Schalkwyk, with Saurabh Netravalkar and Ali Khan expected to lead the pace attack. Netravalkar was the star of the USA’s 2024 campaign and, having gained valuable experience in franchise leagues since, he will once again be crucial to their chances. The spin bowling responsibilities will rest on Harmeet Singh and Nosthush Kenjige. While it will be a stiff challenge for them in Mumbai, with matches in Colombo and Chennai to follow, they will welcome the prospect of bowling on surfaces that traditionally aid spin and could allow them to play a far more influential role. Team form (Last 5 T20Is, latest result first) - India - WLWWW | USA - WWLWW. What to expect? In the last T20I game at this venue in February last year, India piled on 247 against England, powered by Abhishek Sharma's blistering 135, before bowling the opposition out for just 97. The IPL that followed told a slightly different story. Across six night games, the 200 mark was crossed only twice in 12 innings. There has been just one T20I meeting between these two sides. On that occasion, the USA did give India a bit of a scare, even after being restricted to just 110. The beauty of T20 cricket is that it is wildly unpredictable. One explosive over with the bat or one double-wicket over with the ball can completely flip the script. Are we in for a surprise, or will India assert their dominance? We shall find out.