WESTBURY, N.Y. (AP) — No surprises for the United States this time as the home team was easily defeated by cricket heavyweight India in the Twenty20 World Cup on Wednesday.
Suryakumar Yadav’s half-century propelled India to a seven-wicket victory over the USA, who had shocked Pakistan last week.
With the win, India reached the Super 8 round. USA can advance by defeating Ireland on Friday.
Yadvav’s 50 runs came off 49 balls and included two boundaries and two sixes. He made 72 runs in 65 balls in an unbeaten fourth-wicket stand with Shivam Dube who scored 31 not out as India finished 111-3 in 18.2 overs in response to USA’s 110-8 .
Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh took 4-9 in four overs to restrict the co-hosts after India won the toss and opted to field at the Nassau County International Stadium.
The tournament’s co-hosts were in action on Wednesday in Trinidad, where New Zealand won the toss and sent West Indies in to bat.
The New Zealanders made three changes to the line-up that lost heavily to Afghanistan in the opening game, including the recall of veteran fast bowler Tim Southee.
Two-time champions West Indies have beaten Papua New Guinea and Uganda and are second in Group C in terms of net run rate behind Afghanistan.
On Long Island, after the USA scored 110 runs – well below the average of 20 runs – it was India’s turn to bat.
India faced teething problems in their pursuit Indian-born medium pacer Saurabh Netravalkar continued its gold rush for the Americans.
After bowling over the co-hosts over Pakistan, he celebrated the wickets of Indian stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Kohli was caught behind for a golden duck – dismissed off the first delivery he faced – in what will surely become a highlight of Netravalkar’s career. Sharma had a slower delivery after just 3 runs, with Netravalkar finishing with 2-18 from four overs.
Rishabh Pant scored 18 off 20 balls batted at number three but was run out by a slowing delivery from Ali Khan. India fell to 39-3 in 7.3 overs as the US raised views of an even bigger shock.
However, Yadav and Dube absorbed the pressure and fought hard to pull India out of their hole. They did not look to score quickly against the duo’s celebrated natural style of play, instead taking their time on the difficult wicket.
India passed 50 only after 11 overs. But the chase got a boost when five penalties were awarded after the 15th over, with the USA guilty of going over 60 seconds between overs on three separate occasions.
Yadav then made 15 runs in Shadley van Schalkwyk’s 17th over as India crossed the finish line with relative ease.
Earlier, Singh took two wickets in the first over as the Americans slipped to 3-2.
He trapped opener Shayan Jahangir lbw for a golden duck while Andries Gous was caught for two. Steven Taylor scored 24 off 30 balls to help recover the innings.
Singh returned later to dismiss top-scorer Nitish Kumar for 27. His knock anchored the innings after the USA slumped to 56-4 in 11.4 overs.
Hardik Pandya also picked 2-14 in his four-over spell, accounting for stand-in captain Aaron Jones (11) and hard-hitting Corey Anderson (15).
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