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India had the honor to launch their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign as co-hosts and defending champions with a 29-run victory over the United States as part of their Group A opener on February 7, 2026, in the historic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India (Match 3). The light match of the day witnessed that India batted their way to 161/9 in a nervous meltdown and reduced the USA to 132/8 through disciplined bowling and a match-winning performance of an unbeatable 84 on the part of captain Suryakumar Yadav.

It was the USA that won the toss and decided to be the ones in the field on a tricky Wankhede pitch that provided early movement and variable bounce. India would have a slow start but would melt down at the very top, losing key wickets such as Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and many others to the USA seamers, who were very disciplined bowlers, and they would strike without any hesitation against India (Shadley van Schalkwyk 4/25 and Harmeet Singh 2/26).

The new batter replacing him is Suryakumar Yadav (84* off 49 balls, 10 fours, 4 sixes). The captain did a calm but incendiary knock, with gaps made early on, pace maintained in the middle overs, and havoc in the death (with a blistering last-over rampage of two fours and two sixes). He was saved by his alliances and clever running that turned what would have been a sub-140 overall to a competitive 161/9. SKY was subsequently named as the Player of the Month due to his knock on the ship that had stabilized his captain's ship.

In response, the USA demonstrated combativeness but was unable to pursue 162. The platform was given by openers, but regular wickets had fallen. Mohammed Siraj (3/29) was the best with pace and yorkers, and Arshdeep Singh (2/18) and others were putting on the pressure. The middle order of the USA—Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37) and Shubham Ranjane (37)—provided some resistance, whereas the bowlers of India hit in blocks, particularly in the middle and death overs. The final-over LBW to Ranjane by Axar Patel on the one-over, and the USA ended the deal at 132/8.

The victory provides India with 2 vital points in Group A (also comprising Pakistan, Namibia, and the Netherlands) and a boost after a wobbly batting performance. The cheer went off as fans in a full Wankhede sang the defense of a title start to the home side. The semi-finalists, USA, now improved but failed to eke out an upset on Indian soil.

It was a game that brought out the strength of India, the professionalism of SKY, and the quality of their bowling. The tournament was on an exciting note, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.