Suryakumar delivered a Player-of-the-Match performance in India’s campaign opener.
Suryakumar Yadav delivered a Player-of-the-Match performance in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 opener against the USA at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Saturday (February 7).
Invited to bat first, the hosts were reeling at 46/4 at the end of the powerplay, with Abhishek Sharma (0), Ishan Kishan (20), Tilak Varma (25) and Shivam Dube (0) back in the hut. The scorecard soon turned 77/6 as Rinku Singh (6) and Hardik Pandya (5) failed to make a mark as well.
Amid the collapse, Suryakumar held the one end firmly and found good support from Axar Patel (14) and Arshdeep Singh (4). After completing his half-century off 36 balls, the Indian skipper put a pedal on the accelerator. He was particularly severe on Saurabh Netravalkar, hitting the left-arm seamer for two fours and two sixes in the final over to finish with 84 not out off 49 balls.
Thanks to Surya’s knock, the defending champions posted a competitive total of 161/9 on the board. In the second innings, the Indian bowlers stepped up and restricted USA to 132/8 in 20 overs.
Following India’s 29-run victory, Suryakumar Yadav reflected on his valiant effort with the bat while explaining what changes for him after an extended lean patch last year.
“See, I knew definitely someday it was going to come. Last whole year, I was trying to bat in such a way, hold the innings for the team, but it wasn't happening. But then I left it alone after I played the last series of last year against South Africa. Packed my kit bag, spent a lot of time with family for two weeks. Then started in the new year and when we went to Nagpur, it was a different feeling altogether,” Suryakumar said after receiving the Player-of-the-Match award.
“I always felt that there was a need for a batter to bat till the end. I never felt that it was a 180-190 wicket. I felt it was a 140 wicket. But then Gauti bhai told me the same thing during the break after the 14 overs. He told me, just try and bat till the end, you can cover it any time. And also, most important thing, I have played a lot of my cricket in Bombay, this wicket and also maidans of Mumbai cricket. So I know how to bat on similar kind of wickets,” he added.
It was not the usually flat Wankhede wicket, and the Indian captain adapted his game brilliantly to save his side the blushes.
“Absolutely. I mean, 77 for 6 and then from there, batting till the end. You had to understand that one batter had to bat till the end. I just kept counting who was about to bowl at that time and checked on how many balls were left and I was just trying to play good shots and my shots,” Surya remarked.
India’s next Group A match is scheduled against Namibia on Thursday (February 12) in New Delhi.