India’s margin of victory was, in the end, comfortable.
Make no mistake, however. The upset, which would have topped USA’s super over win over Pakistan at the last T20 World Cup, was on at one stage.
The home crowd was quiet and in the 13th over Suryakumar and Axar Patel were at the crease with only three tailenders remaining.
The US, who have not played a T20 since April amid governance issues and are ranked 18th in the world, bowled superbly.
India opener Abhishek Sharma, many people’s tip for player of the tournament, slashed his first ball to deep cover and when South Africa-born seamer Shadley van Schalkwyk mixed his pace to take three wickets in the sixth over, including Tilak Verma and Shivam Dube in consecutive deliveries, the hosts were 46-4.
Suryakumar – known by his nickname SKY – defended Van Schalkwyk’s hat-trick ball and took only five runs from his first 10 deliveries and 20 from his first 21.
His team-mates all struggled to time the ball but he took time to feel comfortable, putting on 41 with Axar.
Making the most of the reprieve by Ranjane, Suryakumar was playing trademark sweeps off seamers for six and tumbling scoops by the end with the US hurt by the loss of Ali Khan to injury with two of his overs unbowled.
India’s captain took 20 runs from the last over, meaning he ended the innings with 10 runs more than the 74 his team-mates managed combined.
It was a spectacular and much-needed knock.
