India launched their T20 World Cup campaign with a tense 29-run victory over the United States at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, surviving both an early batting collapse and a spirited challenge from the newcomers.
After being sent in to bat, India stumbled early as USA bowlers exploited movement and grip from the pitch. Abhishek Sharma fell for a first-ball duck, while Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube departed quickly, leaving India in deep trouble at 46/4 inside the powerplay.
USA pacer Shadley van Schalkwyk delivered the standout spell, finishing with four wickets and nearly triggering a dramatic collapse that threatened to restrict India to a modest total.
With the innings in crisis, captain Suryakumar Yadav produced one of the most crucial knocks of his T20 career. Holding the innings together through the middle overs, he accelerated brilliantly at the death, smashing boundaries across the ground to finish unbeaten on 84 off 49 balls and guide India to 161/9.
USA began the chase aggressively but India’s fast bowlers struck early. Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh removed key top-order batters in the powerplay, reducing the visitors to a difficult position and forcing them to rebuild under mounting pressure.
A brief resistance from Milind Kumar and Sanjay Krishnamurthi kept USA within reach, but once Varun Chakravarthy broke the partnership, the required rate climbed rapidly. Late hitting from Shubham Ranjane added respectability, yet India maintained control to restrict USA to 132/8.
Siraj finished with three wickets while Arshdeep delivered a disciplined spell to seal the win. Despite the comfortable margin, India were given a clear warning early in the tournament after being pushed hard by a determined USA side.
