CHENNAI: Powered by a sparkling knock from Saiteja Mukkamalla and a superb bowling spell by Harmeet Singh, the United States thrashed the Netherlands by 93 runs in their T20 World Cup Group A clash on Friday.
The comprehensive victory significantly improved the USA’s net run rate in a tough group featuring heavyweights India and Pakistan, while keeping their slim chances of progressing to the Super Eights alive.
Opting to bat first at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, the Americans piled up an imposing 196-6 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, the Netherlands were bundled out for just 103 in 15.5 overs.
Batting at number three, Mukkamalla anchored the innings with a fluent 79 off 51 balls, striking five fours and four sixes. Shubham Ranjane then provided the late flourish with a brisk 48 off 24 deliveries, including two towering sixes, to push the total close to the 200-mark.
“Saiteja gave us a fantastic start, and Shubham finished it off beautifully,” said player of the match Harmeet Singh after the game. “They gave us a great total to work with, which allowed me to go out there, bowl with freedom and really spin the ball.”
Harmeet led the charge with the ball, returning impressive figures of 4-21 to dismantle the Dutch batting line-up. Seamer Shadley van Schalkwyk also played a key role, claiming 3-21 in just 2.5 overs to take his tally to a tournament-leading 11 wickets in three matches.
It was a disappointing outing for the Netherlands, whose batting never got going. Bas de Leede top-scored with 23, while also emerging as his side’s most effective bowler with figures of 3-37 from four overs.
The win marked the USA’s first-ever victory over the Netherlands in T20 internationals and secured their first points of the ongoing World Cup campaign.
The Americans must now overcome Namibia in their final Group A fixture on Sunday and rely on other results to keep their campaign alive.
“Funny things happen,” Harmeet remarked. “We keep trusting, we keep fighting. The first two games were close ones. We’ve shown the world we belong here.”