(Image source from: x.com/ICC)
India overcame a spirited challenge from the United States of America, securing a seven-wicket victory in the final match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. Despite facing a tough batting performance, India became the first team from Group A to book a berth in the Super 8 stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Arshdeep Singh's exceptional bowling display (4/9), along with Hardik Pandya's strong contribution, helped restrict the USA to 110/8 after Rohit Sharma opted to field first. In response, the hosts put India under pressure with early wickets and disciplined bowling. However, Suryakumar Yadav's unbeaten 50 off 49 balls and Shivam Dube's 31 not out off 35 deliveries formed an unbroken 67-run partnership, propelling India to victory with 10 deliveries to spare. The run-scoring proved challenging for both teams throughout the match, with India's progress in the chase keeping pace with the USA's efforts.
The American squad faced a penalty for exceeding the 60-second rule (starting a new over within 60 seconds of finishing the previous one) for the third time in the game, becoming the first team to receive this sanction. India then swiftly reached their target, winning with more than an over remaining. "We were 10-15 runs short," remarked stand-in captain Aaron Jones, and the penalty runs only worsened the situation for the USA towards the end. The American team encountered early difficulties, losing two wickets in the first over. Arshdeep struck with the first ball, trapping Shayan Jahangir (replacing the injured Monank Patel) in front with an inswinging delivery, and later in the over had Andries Gous caught with a short, bouncy delivery. Mohammed Siraj repeatedly beat the outside edge of Jones's bat in the fourth over before the American stand-in captain top-edged a pull shot for the first boundary of the match. However, despite this six, the run-scoring progress was limited, with Jasprit Bumrah and Pandya conceding just one run each from their opening overs.
The USA struggled to generate scoring momentum during their powerplay overs, recording one of the lowest powerplay totals in T20 international cricket against India and this World Cup. With the innings stagnating, Jones attempted to accelerate the scoring by taking on Pandya but was dismissed after mistiming a pull shot. However, the team found some relief when Nitish Kumar's edge off Dube's delivery resulted in their first four runs. Later, Steven Taylor confidently dispatched a short ball over the midwicket boundary for a much-needed six. Taylor and Nitish formed a useful 31-run partnership, highlighted by Taylor's straight six off Axar Patel. But Axar had the final say, bowling Taylor after the ball took an inside edge. Nitish played some impressive shots, even though he couldn't find the boundaries, until he attacked Pandya in the 13th over, hitting a six and a four. Corey Anderson then hit a big six over deep midwicket off Axar. Arshdeep returned and got Nitish out, with Siraj taking an excellent catch near the deep square leg boundary.
Utilizing an open bat face, Anderson managed a four off Bumrah, before Harmeet Singh took on India's premier bowler, hitting a top-edged six and a cover-driven three, helping the USA score 14 in the 16th over and reach the 90s. India lost a review for a caught-behind decision against Harmeet in the 17th over, but Pandya dismissed Anderson and finished with impressive figures of 2-14. Bumrah's exceptional performance in the T20 World Cup is now a record for an Indian bowler. Despite conceding only 3 runs in the 19th over, he was unable to secure any wickets and finished with 25 runs. Siraj's experience was comparable, as he was hit for a boundary in the final over by Shadley van Schalkwyk. As the New York leg of the tournament concludes, India will shift their focus to Florida, where they will take on Canada in their final group match on June 15. Meanwhile, the USA will face Ireland a day earlier at the same venue, with their qualification for the Super 8 stage still within their reach.
