2024 T20 World Cup: India beat USA by 7 wickets to reach T20 World Cup Super 8s

India moved to the Super Eight stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup with a seven-wicket win against the United States on Wednesday, 12 June.

Suryakumar Yadav’s half-century led India to a seven-wicket win over USA, who upset Pakistan last week.

With the win, India qualified for the Super 8 round. The U.S. can advance with a win over Ireland on Friday.

Later in the game at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad, Sherfane Rutherford made 68 runs from 39 deliveries to help the West Indies in their spectacular escape as the co-hosts beat New Zealand by 13 runs.

The Caribbean team, 149-9 from 20 overs, were 76-7 before recovering to win under Rutherford. Alzarri Joseph took four New Zealand wickets and Gudakesh Motie three – including one from New Zealand captain Kane Williamson – to send the Black Caps 136-9.

At Long Island, Yadav’s 50 runs came off 49 balls and included two boundaries and two sixes. He played an unbeaten 72-run 65-ball stand in the fourth wicket stand with Shivam Dube, who scored 31, but India finished 111-3 in 18.2 overs, in reply to USA 110-8.

The USA defeated Pakistan with a historic win earlier in the tournament but failed to follow it up with a victory over heavy favorites India – although the underdogs pressed the cricket powerhouse firmly throughout.

After winning all three games in the World Cup, India now tops Group A with six points, with the United States in second place with four points.

Despite the loss, the U.S. still has a good chance of advancing to the next round of the tournament and will face Ireland in the final group stage, needing a win to secure a spot in the playoffs.

If there was ever any hope of an upset, India seemed to quickly end it.

After winning the toss, India opted to field first at New York’s Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, which has supported the bowlers favorably throughout the tournament so far.

Arshdeep Singh got the new ball and took the ball on the very first delivery of the game – the left-arm seamer pushed the ball back to US opener Shayan Jahangir, getting him out leg before striking (LBW). Singh followed it up at the same time as Andries Gous’s goal and India was already firmly in the driver’s seat.

The American innings never really got going after the early dominance of the Indian bowlers, and the fielding side continued their home woes.

With just 111 needed to win, most spectators would have expected India to chase down easily.

American bowler Saurabh Netravalkar had other ideas.

The left-arm caught Virat Kohli, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in history. He got out before his first ball and then Netravalkari was caught by Indian captain Rohit Sharma.

Nerves would certainly be palpable throughout the Indian camp, but Indian batsmen Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav helped ease concerns with a strong partnership.

Just when India looked to be cruising, the USA managed to pile on the pressure again after Ali Khan bowled Pant on 18. As the pressure grew, so did the point balls and suddenly the subs were well in the game.

But, like many great teams do, India found a way to regain control of the situation and make an impressive win over the United States team.