India outshines USA by 29 runs in T20 opener, Sky shines bright

India began their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on a high note, defeating the United States of America by 29 runs in a thrilling Group A clash at the Wankhede Stadium. A scintillating innings from captain Suryakumar Yadav anchored India’s recovery after a shaky start, setting up a competitive total that proved too much for the American side.

Electing to field after winning the toss, USA put India under early pressure, reducing the hosts to 46 for 4 in the initial overs. However, Suryakumar Yadav’s masterclass with the bat changed the course of the innings. His unbeaten 84 off 49 balls was studded with crisp boundaries and smart strike rotation, guiding India to a respectable 161 for 9 in 20 overs . Contributions from Tilak Varma (25) and Ishan Kishan (20) helped India regain stability in the middle overs.

The USA bowlers, led by Shadley van Schalkwyk , troubled Indian batsmen early but struggled to contain SKY once he settled in. Despite their efforts, the American batsmen could never fully capitalize on the platform provided. India’s bowlers, particularly Mohammed Siraj and Axar Patel , struck at crucial moments to derail the chase and maintain pressure throughout the innings.

USA’s innings showed flashes of resistance, but wickets at regular intervals prevented them from gaining momentum. In the end, they fell short by 29 runs, handing India a confident start to their T20 World Cup journey.

Suryakumar Yadav’s stellar performance not only anchored the innings but also set the tone for India’s campaign, demonstrating their depth and resilience under pressure. With this victory, India looks well poised for the challenges ahead in the group stages.