Published: Feb 07, 2026, 11:03 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 07, 2026, 11:32 PM (IST)
Captain Suryakumar Yadav smashed an unbeaten 84 off 49 balls against the USA in India’s first match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. It stands as the second-highest score by an Indian captain in the tournament, behind only Rohit Sharma’s 92* off 41 against Australia in 2024.
Surya’s 84* is the second-highest score in a debut innings as captain in T20 World Cup history, trailing only Chris Gayle’s 88 against Australia at The Oval in 2009.
The knock ranks as the fifth-highest score by a captain in the men’s T20 World Cup, surpassing Jos Buttler’s 83* against the USA in 2024. Chris Gayle tops the list with 98 against India in 2010.
Suryakumar maintained his excellent 2026 form, scoring his fourth half-century in six matches and reaching 1000 runs as captain. He has amassed 326 runs in six innings this year.
The 84* marked Suryakumar Yadav’s 29th half-century in T20Is. He started the year with 32 against New Zealand, followed by 82* and 57* in the next two matches, a low of 8 in Visakhapatnam, and a strong 63 off 30 in the final game against the Black Caps.
Suryakumar walked in after India lost opener Ishan Kishan, with the score at 45/2 in the sixth over. The team soon slumped to 46/4 at the end of the powerplay as Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube fell in quick succession.
Playing at his home venue, Wankhede Stadium, the 36-year-old raced to his fifty off 36 balls, striking seven boundaries and one six. Despite Rinku Singh and Hardik Pandya departing cheaply, he refused to give up.
He forged a 41-run seventh-wicket stand with Axar Patel, including a massive 21-run 16th over off Saurabh Netravalkar. Displaying his trademark 360-degree shot-making, he hit fours and sixes off Netravalkar and Shadley van Schalkwyk (who earlier took 4/25).
Suryakumar blasted 21 runs off Netravalkar in the final over, helping India post a competitive fighting total against the USA.
( Inputs from IANS )
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