India storm into Super 8 with triumph over USA

Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube returned to form and forged a match-winning partnership after Arshdeep Singh registered his career-best performance as India defeated USA by seven wickets in New York to collect their third win on the trot in the ongoing T20 World Cup.

As a result of the victory, the Men in Blue became the first team from Group A, comprising arch-rivals Pakistan as well as Canada and Ireland besides USA, to confirm their place the Super 8s. Their victory on Wednesday has ensured Rohit Sharma and Co do not fall out of the top two even if they lose their final group game, against Canada in Florida on Saturday.

Arshdeep led the way with a brilliant haul of 4/9 that earned him the Player of the Match award, striking twice in the very first over of the United States innings and helping India restrict the tournament co-hosts to 110/8 — normally a modest total in the T20 format but competitive on the unpredictable New York surface.

​India, in reply, were off to the worst start possible with left-arm pacer Saurabh Netravalkar — USA’s hero in their stunning victory over Pakistan in Dallas last week — getting rid of Virat Kohli (0) and Rohit (3) in successive overs. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant would attempt to mount a rescue in the company of Surya, adding 18 off 20 balls in a 29-run third-wicket stand before getting castled by Ali Khan.