IND vs USA | SKY saves India blushes with all-time great rescue act after horrific collapse to trump USA

‌Asked to bat first, India were greeted by some unexpected swing and seam movement early on as Saurabh Netravalkar knit together four dot balls before Ishan Kishan got scoring underway with a gorgeous six over square leg. Abhishek Sharma went for a similar result the first time of asking in the next over, but all he could find was deep cover and departed for a golden duck. A few more dot balls only amplified the hush around the Wankhede and the pressure was piling when Tilak Varma flicked a switch to dispatch Netravalkar for 16 in the third over, before Ishan survived a drop to join in against Ali Khan with an 11-run over. Just when the stand was beginning to look promising, Shadley van Schalkwyk got rid of both in the space of three deliveries, and then sent the crowd into crisis mode with Shivam Dube's wicket first-ball to end the powerplay at 46/4 with a triple-wicket over. The spread of field, paired with two new batters at the crease, furthered the visitors' stranglehold through a three-over spell worth just seven runs. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav tried to ease matters with a couple of boundaries off Shubham Ranjane but followed it up by offering a simple return catch to finish the 10th over, only for Ranjane to let it slip. Nevertheless, USA ensured momentum stayed with them by scalping Rinku Singh soon after for a sluggish 14-ball knock for six runs, and five balls later got Hardik Pandya holed out too to leave the hosts reeling at 77/6. SKY, who thus far had been lagging on 21 at less-than-run-a-ball, took the collapse as a sign to switch gears, and began with a boundary each either side of the drinks break. New batter Axar Patel took just two balls in the 16th over to produce the same, before SKY bookended it with more fireworks to make Netravalkar's day worse with another 21-run effort. Yet, as had been the story thus far, USA seized back momentum by scalping Axar four balls later for 14, bringing India's tail into the game. However, the tourists lost Ali to an injury and were forced to use Ranjane instead, who SKY dispatched for four to bring up a 36-ball fifty to have India at 128/7 with two overs to go. Fortunately for India, SKY had saved his best for last as he first struck van Schalkwyk for a four and six in the penultimate over, before tearing into Netravalkar with two sixes and as many fours to end unbeaten on 84 off 49 and take India to a competitive 161/9.

In response, Arshdeep Singh began in riveting fashion with the new ball, with an exhibition of swing and seam bowling allowing no runs off the bat in the opening over. Andries Gous eventually got the scorecard ticking with a six off Mohammed Siraj's second ball but the quick had the last laugh when he scalped the opener just two balls later. Arshdeep opened his own account soon after by sending skipper Monank Patel packing for a duck, and Siraj doubled his tally with Saiteja Mukkamalla's wicket to leave the US reeling at 13/3. Milind Kumar and Sanjay Krishnamurthi brought about some stability with a measured stand thereafter, seeing the powerplay through at 31/3 with just a couple of boundaries to show for it. The spread of field meant SKY brought on spin duo Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar from an end each, culminating in a four-over spell worth just 18 to further stifle the visitors and leave them requiring 11.30 runs an over at the halfway stage. As soon as India reverted to pace, the US capitalized by taking 14 off Pandya and the partnership bloomed to 58. However, just as they were beginning to spark hopes of a successful chase, Milind bizarrely went for a walk while facing Varun Chakravarthy and was duly stumped, thus departing for a run-a-ball 34. By the 15-over mark, the requirement had soared to 64 in 30, when Axar effectiely sealed the result by dispatching Krishnamurthi and Harmeet on back-to-back deliveries. Ranjane kept battling nevetheless with a spirited 22-ball cameo for 37 but it was too little too late, and ultimately fell on the last ball of the innings off Siraj to hand India a 29-run victory.

IND WON

Yeah!

He will!

Lol!

Brilliant!

Gone!

Breakthrough!

Shot!

haha!

Yeah!

💀