'Only I can tell how much...': Suryakumar Yadav reflects on what went through his mind when India were tottering at 77/6 vs USA in T20 WC Opener

Team India survived a massive scare in their T20 World Cup 2026 opener against the USA. Batting first, India posted a par total of 161/9, thanks to an incredible knock by Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, who made an unbeaten 84* off 49. In reply, the USA managed 132/8 in 20 overs, losing the match by 29 runs at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday. Suryakumar's innings made the difference for India and for that he was named the player of the match.

Suryakumar Yadav rescues India

Coming into the match on the back of a convincing series win over New Zealand, fans and many experts were confident that Team India will continue to post gigantic totals on the board and could cross the enormous figure of 300 against the USA. However, the USA side fielded brilliantly after inviting India to bat first.

Opener Abhishek Sharma was dismissed on a duck by Ali Khan in the second over. The other opener, Ishan Kishan, also could not hold his ground for long and got out while trying to clear the 30-yard circle. He was picked by Shadley van Schalkwyk on 20. The same bowler removed Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube, too. Consequently, India were 46/4 at the end of the powerplay. Next in line, Rinku Singh and Hardik Pandya also failed to stick around with their skipper and as a result, India were tottering at 77/6 in 12.4 overs. From there, the motive was to play all 20 overs and get as many as possible in the process. SKY played a mature innings and kept the bulk of the strike in the end to steer India to 161/9 in 20 overs.

While the score proved to be enough on the day against the USA, but at 77/6, another wicket and that too of Surya, could have pushed the USA further in a position to dominate and they could have pulled off an upset in the end, but Surya's composure not only gave India's total a competitive shape but also handed the bowlers something to defend in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.

Suryakumar Yadav felt the pressure

Following the culmination of the match, Suryakumar Yadav was asked to express his thoughts on what went through his mind when India were in complete trouble at 77/6 inside 13 overs. To which he said he felt the pressure, but backed his ability to make the difference and focused on staying at the crease till the end.

"Only I can tell how much pressure I was feeling (smiles) but I had the belief. I knew if I bat till the end, I can make a difference. It was a little different wicket. But we knew when we woke up, there was not a lot of sun outside. Curator tried their best. There was not enough sunlight to have the pitch rolled and watered. We cannot brush everything under the carpet, we need to bat much better. After winning also, you get to learn a lot of things. Could have batted better and smarter. 1-2 partnerships could have gotten us to 160 (more easily). Bumrah was having fever. Abhishek was also under the weather. Washington will join us in Delhi."

Though India emerged as the winner tonight, the failure of the top order is a red flag and could prove to be detrimental if the collapse happens in front of a quality side like Australia or South Africa, deep in the tournament. So, early learning for the Men-In-Blue.