India advances to Super 8 in ICC T20 World Cup with 7-wicket win over USA

KATHMANDU: India secured a place in the Super 8 of the ICC T20 World Cup by defeating the USA by 7 wickets.

In the match held in New York on Wednesday night, India chased down the target of 111 runs set by the USA in 18.4 overs, losing only three wickets.

Suryakumar Yadav played a pivotal role in India’s victory, scoring an unbeaten 50 runs. His innings included two fours and two sixes off 49 balls.

This half-century is the first by an Indian batsman in the ongoing World Cup. Coming in to bat at 15-2, Suryakumar built an unbroken partnership of 67 runs with Shivam Dube, guiding India to victory.

Shivam Dube remained unbeaten on 31 runs, while Rishabh Pant added 18 runs. Indian captain Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 3 runs, and Virat Kohli got out for a golden duck.

For the USA, Saurabh Netravalkar took two wickets and Ali Khan claimed one. Netravalkar is of Indian origin, while Khan is of Pakistani origin.

Earlier, after losing the toss and being put to field, the USA managed to score 110 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Nitish Kumar top-scored for the USA with 27 runs. Steven Taylor scored 24, Corey Anderson 15, Sadali van Schalkwyk 11, and Hammad Shahid 10 runs.

To restrict the USA to a low total, Arshdeep Singh shone for India with four wickets, conceding only nine runs in his four overs. Hardik Pandya took two wickets, and Axar Patel chipped in with one.

With this win, India has accumulated 6 points from three matches, securing a spot in the Super 8. In their earlier matches, India had defeated Ireland by eight wickets and Pakistan by six runs.

The USA remains in second place on the table with four points from three matches.

The USA had won their first match against Canada by seven wickets and their second match against Pakistan in a Super Over.