भारत vs यूएसए, मैच 3 Commentary, Live Updates

That's a wrap - We already had a couple of games where the associate nations gave big names a scare. But this is just the start, as we will be back with another triple dose on the second day. Sunday, 8th February sees Afghanistan go up against New Zealand in Chennai, which will be followed by England taking on Nepal in Mumbai, and the day will end in Colombo as Sri Lanka meet Ireland. The action will begin at 5.30 am GMT for an action-packed Sunday. But do make sure you join us in advance for all the pre-match buzz and build-up. Until then, goodbye, stay safe. Cheers!

A very entertaining day of cricket - Unarguably, it was a gripping opening day at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, one when the so-called underdogs refused to concede. The Netherlands pushed Pakistan all the way in the curtain raiser before falling short at the final hurdle. Scotland dragged West Indies into deep waters but were denied the win in the end. And to cap it off, the USA pushed India to their limits, only for the Men in Blue to somehow emerge successful.

The victorious captain of India - Suryakumar Yadav walks again for a quick chat. He says only he truly knows how much pressure the side was under at 77 for 6. Drawing on his experience, he points out that he has played a lot of cricket here, and while the conditions were a little different from what they usually are at the Wankhede, that experience helped him adapt. Mentions that when they woke up, there wasn’t much sunlight. He adds that the curator did their best, but they may not have had enough sunlight for the pitch to be properly rolled and watered. While he stresses that they are not looking for excuses, he admits that everything cannot be brushed under the carpet and that the batting unit needs to do better. SKY reflects that even in victory, there are lessons to be learned, pointing out that they could have batted smarter and built one or two more partnerships to get to 160 more comfortably. He also informs that Jasprit Bumrah missed out due to fever, Abhishek Sharma was also under the weather, and that Washington Sundar will be joining the squad in Delhi.

The captain of USA - Monank Patel feels his bowlers did a commendable job, particularly in the way they assessed the conditions and the pitch to give the side early momentum. He admits that a few dropped catches at crucial moments proved costly and ultimately swung the game in India’s favour. Patel believes 160 was a competitive total on that surface and says the team would gladly take such a score on similar pitches. He admits that the top three failed to deliver and that the intent was lacking up front, but adds that the match offered plenty of learning and positives. According to him, handling the pressure of a big crowd and facing India was a valuable experience, one that would hold the team in good stead. He is confident the USA would take those lessons forward and come back stronger in their remaining games.

... The Presentation Ceremony ...

A resilient partnership, but not enough in the end - Milind Kumar and Sanjay Krishnamurthi formed a fighting alliance through the middle overs and added 58 runs together, but they weren't offered many freebies and were forced to manufacture fours and sixes. But the two did extremely well to keep the USA afloat in the chase. However, once that partnership was broken, another such alliance never really materialised for the USA in the remainder of the chase. Shubham Ranjane played a fine unbeaten knock of 37, but it all came in a losing cause. Bowling-wise, barring Hardik Pandya, each and every bowler picked up at least one wicket, with Mohammed Siraj, the man called in the eleventh hour, finishing with a three-for.

A scratchy start in pursuit - After a stupendous bowling effort and restricting India to a middling score, the USA got off to a worse possible start. They lost the top three, including the skipper Monank Patel and were reduced to 13/3 with Arshdeep and Siraj putting them on a tight leash. There was not much dew around, and the ball was holding on the surface well with some lateral movement as well. Crawling their way, they were choked with just 31/3 in the Powerplay, versus India's 46/4 at the same stage. The USA were pushed for a massive reconstruction job.

USA punched above their weight - This was easily one of the most improved bowling performances put together by the USA. They have come a long way over the last two years since the previous T20 World Cup. Shadley van Schalkwyk led the attack superbly with a brilliant four-wicket haul, and the rest backed him up well, barring Saurabh Netravalkar, who endured a rare off day. Monank Patel, too, was spot on with his plans and execution throughout and was supported well by his fielders too. The USA will rue a missed chance when Suryakumar Yadav was dropped on 15. Shubham Ranjane put him down on his follow-through, and one can only wonder how different things might have been had that opportunity been taken.

Short of runs, not out of form - Said SKY in one of the post-match interviews when he was going through a lean patch. But this knock of his has a bit of similarity with the past. 12th June 2024. T20 World Cup stage. Same opponent, same pressure. India were chasing a modest 111 against the USA back then, but nothing came easy. At 39/3, the chase had started to wobble before Suryakumar Yadav soaked up the tension, stitched it together, and guided India home with a calm, resilient half-century.  Fast forward to this evening and the stakes were far heavier. India were 77/6, setting the target with the big hitters already gone. From one end, SKY watched the procession, but at the other, he stood firm. What followed was a knock of control and courage. An unbeaten 84 off 49, built on grit. Scoops, sweeps, ramps, wrists rolling. He hit the ground a few times, yet stayed upright mentally. Rinku Singh and Axar Patel offered brief support, but this was SKY’s night. Less about flair, more about responsibility, and one of the finest innings of his career.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Suryakumar Yadav gets the award for his match-winning knock of an unbeaten 84 off 49. Yadav says he always knew a day like this would come. He reflects on how, over the last year, he tried to hold the innings together whenever possible, but it did not come off for him. Shares that he stepped away from the game after the final series of the previous year against South Africa and spent a lot of time with his family to reset mentally for the new year. SKY believes it never felt like a 180 or 190 wicket, but more like a 140 kind of surface. Says he always felt there was a need for one batter to bat right through till the end. He adds that Gautam Gambhir also told him the same during the break after 14 overs, reassuring him that he could always make up the runs later and just needed to be there till the end.

Dared, but stood tall - The USA pushed India hard, but the defending champions still kicked off their title defence with a victory. Not the most convincing win for the Men in Blue, but the bowlers did just well enough to drag them through, coupled with a captain’s knock that rescued the night for India. Despite the loss, there are plenty of positives for the USA in the way they executed their plans with the ball and put their bodies behind the ball in the field.

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.