The State of Play
It may have been expected for India to sit atop Group A at the T20 World Cup 2024 after two rounds of matches, but not many pundits would have felt the same about the United States.
Yet that is exactly the scenario ahead of a meeting between the two sides with both knowing a win would all but stamp their passage through to the Super Eight.
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Neither team have had it all their own way. Although India were convincing eight-wicket winners against Ireland in their opener, they found the going much tougher on Sunday against rivals Pakistan.
Having restricted India to 119, Pakistan appeared well placed when needing just 40 runs from the last 36 balls with seven wickets in hand. But Jasprit Bumrah had other ideas and a terrific spell of fast bowling saw India home by six runs.
Likewise, the US have had their struggles with a win over Canada followed by a Super Over victory over Pakistan in Dallas – one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history.
If they are to surpass that feat and beat India they will have to fend off the brilliance of India quick Bumrah.
The right-armer was named Player of the Match in both India’s games so far after returning figures of two for six and three for 14.
“I try to stay in the present,” he said. “If I look at the outside noise, if pressure and emotion takes over, then things don’t really work for me. I try to create my own bubble.”
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It has certainly worked so far and he will be the India dangerman on a New York pitch that has caused consternation with its uneven bounce.
The US, for whom batter Aaron Jones has been the stand-out, will be determined to show their win over Pakistan was not a one-off, with captain Monank Patel eager to focus on India and not look too far ahead.
He said: “We know what we have worked on and what capability we have.
“And we just focus on the particular game. And we don’t want to keep our emotions too high or low. We’ll make sure that whatever the win today is, we’ll enjoy it and make sure that next day we come fresh.
“We want to focus on one game at a time. And our focus would be on playing against India now. We don’t even want to think about the Ireland game right now. Super 8 is far ahead.”
He recognised, though, that the win over Pakistan is potentially a game-changer for cricket in the US, adding: “Of course, it’s going to open many doors for us. Obviously hosting the World Cup in the USA and performing here as a team, it helps us to grow cricket in the USA.”
The #INDvPAK in New York felt like a home game!
Thank you to our fans in the USA for helping us engineer this memorable win! 🙌🙌 #TeamIndia #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/6RjICsGebO
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 9, 2024
Expected line-ups
United States: Taylor, Patel (c, wk), Gous, Jones, Kumar, Anderson, H Singh, J Singh, Kenjige, Netravalkar, Khan
India: Sharma (c), Kohli, Pant (wk), Patel, Yadav, Dube, Pandya, Jadeja, Singh, Bumrah, Siraj
How to watch
Sky have the rights to show the T20 World Cup to UK viewers in 2024 and will broadcast every game live. Coverage gets underway on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket from 3pm UK time.
In India, the games can be streamed on Disney + Hotstar app and website. They are also available across the Star Sports Network.
Still on cloud 9️⃣ from the win against Pakistan! 🤩🔥#T20WorldCup | #WeAreUSACricket 🇺🇸
📸: ICC/Getty pic.twitter.com/0Cg8vx1uVv
— USA Cricket (@usacricket) June 8, 2024
Prediction
On paper, it’s a total mismatch with India stronger in every single department.
The US have sparkled so far, as every tournament host should, and they have contributed hugely.
They will still fancy their chances of progressing when they take on Ireland in their final game but there won’t be another shock here.
We’re taking the easy option and going for a comprehensive India win.
