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Defending champions India have kicked off their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign in fine style, defeating the United States of America (USA) by 29 runs at Wankhede Stadium.
While batting first, the home side lost in form opening batter Abhishek Sharma to Ali Khan in the second over of the innings, with just eight runs on the board.
Opening batters Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma tried to steady the innings, stitching a 34 runs partnership before India collapsed to 46 for 4 in the powerplay.
Shadley van Schalkwyk made history by taking three wickets in a single over, becoming the first bowler in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history to achieve this feat against India.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav led from one end, building a 26 runs partnership with Rinku Singh, taking India to 75 for 5 in 11.4 overs while Rinku scored only 6 off 14 balls.
Suryakumar Yadav scored 84 runs off 49 balls, including 10 fours and 4 sixes, while Axar Patel scored 14 runs, taking the team total to 161 at the end of the innings.
In response, the USA lost three wickets to the Indian bowling attack, scoring just 13 runs in 3.2 overs, with Mohammad Siraj taking two wickets and Arshdeep Singh claiming one.
Milind Kumar and Sanjay Krishnamurthi showed some resistance in the middle, stitching a 58 runs partnership before Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Milind Kumar.
Milind Kumar scored 34 runs off 34 balls, including three fours and one six, while Krishnamurthi made 37 runs off 31 balls before being dismissed by Axar Patel.
Shubham Ranjane scored 37 off 22 balls before being dismissed by Mohammad Siraj, as the USA finished their innings on 132 for 8 in 20 overs, losing the match by 29 runs.
