Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir used words like "masterclass" and "outstanding" while describing the innings played by captain Suryakumar Yadav in their narrow win over the USA in the first match of the T20 World Cup 2026 tournament.
India met the USA on February 7, 2026, in Mumbai, and was asked to bat first as USA captain Monank Patel won the toss. Despite Ishan Kishan’s 20 and Tilak Varma’s 25, the Indian team was reduced to 77/6 in 13 overs as Shadley van Schalkwyk shook India with 4/25.
However, it was Suryakumar Yadav, who anchored one end and scored 84* in 49 balls with 10 fours and 4 sixes and took India to a respectable 161/9 in 20 overs. In response, despite a good effort by the middle order, the USA failed to conquer India as they managed 132/6 in 20 overs. Mohammed Siraj took three wickets, while Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel took two scalps each.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir hailed Suryakumar Yadav's match-winning knock as a “masterclass” and called it one of the finest T20I innings played under pressure.
"It was a good result to start with, and Surya—that was a masterclass, outstanding. It was one of the best T20I innings played under pressure," Gambhir said in his dressing room speech, shared on video by BCCI.
The Indian captain remarked that the triumph was a unique occasion and a worthwhile educational experience for the players and support staff, in light of India's close escape following early nerves.
“It's a very, very special feeling to win after a few scares and hiccups, but it's also an eye-opener for the boys and the support staff. I've played in similar situations before, so I knew that staying there for my side was crucial,” Suryakumar Yadav said after the match.
The captain acknowledged that India found it difficult to adapt to difficult batting conditions, emphasizing the value of candid evaluation over ignoring flaws even in the face of victory.
He said, "I understand it was a difficult wicket to bat on, and we are not used to conditions like these. But at the same time, you can't brush everything under the carpet. We have to understand how we could have batted better. At the end of the day, you learn and move on."
Suryakumar Yadav also said that it was a special feeling captaining India at his home ground in Mumbai and credited the crowd for creating a vibrant atmosphere.
"It's always special to play at the Wankhede, and I knew that when I walked out as captain of this team, it would be buzzing—and the crowd didn't disappoint," he concluded.
Here is the video:
(IANS inputs)
