T20 World Cup: Game-changing moments in India vs USA as Suryakumar's knock rescues game for Men in Blue

India's top order fell like ninepins as the hosts found themselves in deep trouble at 63 for 4 after 10 overs, with USA pacer Shadley van Schalkwyk doing the maximum damage in their T20 World Cup clash here on Saturday.

The Indian batters found USA pacer van Schalkwyk (3/13 in 3 overs) too hot to handle as the 37-year-old struck thrice in the sixth over, dismissing Ishan Kishan (20), Tilak Varma (25) and Shivam Dube (0) to leave the hosts reeling at 46 for 4, after Pakistan born pacer Ali Khan had earlier provided the early jolt by removing Abhishek Sharma for a first-ball duck.

Here are game-changing moments from the India vs USA match:

1. Abhishek Sharma's duck

Fiery opener Abhishek Sharma was not his usual self today, getting out for a duck off an Ali Khan delivery. Sharma, who has been India's talisman in T20Is, is also the number-one ranked player in the format. He was caught by the Indian-origin Sanjay Krishamurthi.

Netizens had a field day debating Sharma's performance. One user pointed out his recent dip in form:

While some Pak fans were mocking Sharma, one Indian fan was quick to ask Grok to give them a lesson in the batter's performance against Pakistan. Grok, while giving stats, also said, “His duck was vs USA (Ali Khan) in 2024 T20 WC, not Pakistan.”

2. Shadley van Schalkwyk's 3-wicket blitz

The most devasting blow to the Indian batting line-up was dealt by bowler Shadley van Schalkwyk, who picked up the wickets of Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, and Shivam Dubey in the sixth over. The three star batters, who have given numerous memorable performances thus far, went out scoring 20 (Kishan), 25 (Varma), and a first-ball duck (Dube).

The internet was all praises for van Schalkwyk, with some nothing his achievement as the “becoming the second Associate bowler to take 3 wickets in an over against a Full Member side in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup”.

3. Ishan Kishan's struggle

After his brilliant 43-ball 103 against New Zealand on 31 January, Ishan Kishan failed to impress with the bat in India's T20 World Cup opener against the US, scoring just 20 off 16 balls.

4. SKY's innings

The only saving race in India's batting efforts on Saturday was the standout performance of skipper Suryakumar Yadav. When his teammates' wickets fell like a house of cards, the captain steered the innings with a sensational 49-ball 84. SKY hit 10 boundaries and four sixes to take India's total to a defendable 161/9.

Indian fans were all praises for their skipper, saying, “- when the entire team was collapsing one sidedly Suryakumar Yadav played a very classical well thought out fifty. A clutch innings by Surya.”

5. Siraj-Arshdeep dismantle US batting line-up

Just like the Indian top order failed to deliver, their American counterparts also left for the pavilion early in their chase, thanks to power-packed bowling performances by Indian pacers Mohammad Siraj and Arshdeep Singh. Siraj picked up the wickets of US openers Andries Gous (6) and Saiteja Mukkamalla (2) while Arshdeep got US skipper Monank Patel out for a duck.

Catch the live action of the T20 World Cup 2026 with the complete T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule, and the T20 World Cup 2026 Points Table. Also, know who currently leading the charts for Most Runs in T20 World Cup 2026 and Most Wickets in T20 World Cup 2026.

This is a developing story.

With agency inputs