India were invited to bat first after Monank Patel won the toss. USA were off to a flying start as India’s star studded batting lineup were left with no answers, but then Suryakumar Yadav decided to step up and turned the game on its head singlehandedly. The Indian skipper brought India back into the game and guided his side to a respectable total to defend.

Flying start from the Indian bowlers

The Indian bowlers picked up from where their batters left the game. The spark in India’s bowling was quite visible with Mohammed Siraj leading the charge. After being hit for a six on the second ball of the first over, Siraj had the last laugh as Andries Gous walked off the pitch after giving away his wicket.

 

Arshdeep Singh was brought in the third over and he executed a perfect wicket ball on his very first delivery. The left arm seamer forced skipper Monank Patel to give away his wicket to the field at mid-off. Surya Kumar Yadav backed Siraj yet again and the pacer did not disappoint his captain.

Siraj forced Saiteja Mukkamalla to hit it in the hands of Varun Chakraravarthy at mid-wicket and the crowd erupted with joy. The USA were down with three wickets in just the opening four overs and the Indian bowlers strengthened their credentials in the opening overs of the match. Milind Kumar almost walked out, but Siraj couldn’t execute a heroic diving catch, but saved a boundary for India.

The opening combination of Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh proved to be India’s most lethal weapon. Both the pacers attacked USA’s batting unit from both the ends and did not allow them any breathing space. Siraj who has come in as a replacement for Jasprit Bumrah in today’s fixture gave a fantastic account of himself and has most likely cemented his place in the starting XI.