India vs United States of America, 3rd Match, Group A, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 - Commentary

So India escape from jail in what was a tricky pitch at the Wankhede. But for USA still a lot of positives to take from this game as their skipper alluded to in the post-match presentation. On that note, we will escape from here. Remember another triple-header awaits everyone tomorrow. We will be there nice and early for that. Do join us then. Till then sleep tight and snore away your worries. Tata and bye bye.

Suryakumar Yadav | India captain: Only I can tell actually at the position which we were in, 77 for 6, how much pressure I was feeling. But then at the same time, I had that belief that I have batted in similar situations. And also when I have played my lot of cricket here in Maidans of Mumbai cricket, Azad Maidan, Cross Maidan. So I knew that if I bat till the end, I can make a difference. (on the pitch today) It was a little different wicket from what it is always at Wankhede. But at the same time, we knew when we woke up in the morning, we saw outside there wasn't a lot of sun outside. I think curator and the groundsmen, they tried their best to prepare the best pitch. But I think a few things are not in their control. So there wasn't enough sunlight to have that pitch rolled, watered. Maybe because of that, but we can't be brushing everything under the carpet. We could have batted a little better. (what could you have done better?) I think after winning also, you get to learn a lot of things. And today we learned that we could have batted a little better or maybe a little smarter. Those small, small partnerships could have got us to 160 rather than one batter or two batter trying to play it till the end. But at the same time, it's okay. We sit around aaram se [sit relaxed], we have a lot of time, five days for the next game and we'll come back stronger. (injury update on Bumrah and Washi) Washi is joining us in Delhi. He's good. Everything is fine. Bumrah, he was having high fever due to because of weather, like how Abhishek was under the weather. But rest, everything is good.

Monank Patel | USA captain: I thought our bowlers did a great job. The way they assessed the condition, the pitch, it wasn't easy to hit initially in the powerplay and I thought the variations that they showed initially in the powerplay, it gave us a good momentum and a good start by getting wickets. We kept them quiet for a long period of time. Here and there, we dropped a few catches that cost us the game. I thought we were in a stage where we could restrict them around 130-something. (on India's score) I thought 160 was a good score. We will take this score any day on this pitch. Our top 3 couldn't perform, soft dismissals initially in the first 3 overs. That put us too much damage on our batting lineup and our batters initially when they came in, they took a lot of time. I thought the intent was a bit missing there because we lost a few wickets initially. But a lot of learning from this game and a lot of positives. And definitely this game is going to help us in running forward. (biggest positive for you from today) I thought the way we handled the pressure playing in front of the big crowd and playing against India, first game of World Cup, I thought we managed really well. Yeah, our batting department didn't click, but there were a lot of positives, Milind, Shubham, Sanjay, the way they played, I thought it's going to help us in the next 3 games. Overall, I know we made a few mistakes, but we'll definitely come back stronger.

Suryakumar Yadav | Player of the Match: See, I knew definitely someday it was going to come. Last whole year, I was trying to bat in such a way, hold the innings for the team, but it wasn't happening. But then I left it alone after I played the last series of last year against South Africa. Packed my kit bag, spent a lot of time with family for two weeks. Then started in the new year and when we went to Nagpur, it was a different feeling altogether. (plans when the team were 77/6) I always felt that there was a need for a batter to bat till the end. I never felt that it was a 180-190 wicket. I felt it was a 140 wicket. But then Gauti bhai told me the same thing during the break after the 14 overs. He told me, just try and bat till the end, you can cover it any time. And also, most important thing, I have played a lot of my cricket in Bombay, this wicket and also maidans of Mumbai cricket. So I know how to bat on similar kind of wickets. (on adapting to the pitch) Absolutely. I mean, 77 for 6 and then from there, batting till the end. You had to understand that one batter had to bat till the end. I just kept counting who was about to bowl at that time and checked on how many balls were left and I was just trying to play good shots and my shots.

Most POTM awards in T20 World Cups (India)
8 Virat Kohli (35 T20Is)
4 Suryakumar Yadav (19) *
3 Yuvraj Singh (31)
3 R Ashwin (24)
3 Rohit Sharma (47)

Most POTM awards in T20Is (India)
17 Suryakumar Yadav (105 T20Is)
16 Virat Kohli (125)
14 Rohit Sharma (159)
8 Axar Patel (88)

161 is the lowest total successfully defended in the 10 T20Is at the Wankhede.
Previous lowest: 162 by India vs Sri Lanka in 2023

Most consecutive wins in T20 World Cups
9 India (2024-26) *
8 South Africa (2024)
8 Australia (2022-24)
7 India (2012-14)

Most wickets after 15 T20 WC matches
30 Anrich Nortje
29 Wanindu Hasaranga
29 Arshdeep Singh *

22:43 Local Time, 17:13 GMT, 22:43 IST: India begin their campaign on a winning note. But boy they were really pushed today. Especially with the ball by USA. SKY saved his side the blushes with a tremendous knock. And then with the ball, India took early wickets and never released the pressure on their opponents. Milind and Sanjay added a good stand to keep USA in it but Axar's two-wicket over in the 16th put a stop to all doubts. The game meandered to its logical conclusion at the end. Shubham Ranjane battled pain to hit a few lusty blows but it only reduced the margin of defeat. Just the five bowlers used and except Hardik, the rest were among the wickets. Once again Arshdeep was outstanding. USA will feel that this was their best chance at beating India. If only Ranjane had taken that return catch of SKY when he was on 15. That moment will rankle them. Despite not being close to anywhere near their best, India manage to get home. Stay tuned for the post-match stuff....

Siraj to Shubham Ranjane, THATS OUT!! Lbw!!