The United States delivered a dominant performance against the Netherlands, registering a 93-run victory in their T20 World Cup group league match in Chennai on Friday. This marked USA’s first-ever T20I win over the Netherlands, powered by a brilliant batting display from Saiteja Mukkamalla and a match-winning bowling spell from Harmeet Singh.
Mukkamalla played a pivotal role in setting up the American innings with a composed 79 off 51 balls, forming the backbone of USA’s total of 196 for 6. All-rounder Shubham Ranjane provided a late surge, smashing an unbeaten 48 off just 24 deliveries to push the score close to the 200-run mark.
In response, the Netherlands were never in contention on a slowing Chepauk pitch and were bowled out for 103 in 15.5 overs, with left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh returning 4 for 21, the best bowling figures by a USA player in a T20 World Cup match.
Harmeet’s wickets included key Dutch batters Max O’Dowd (13) and Bas de Leede (23), both dismissed by deliveries that induced mistimed shots. He also removed skipper Scott Edwards with a flat, skiddy delivery that breached his defence, and trapped Roelof de Merwe with a straighter ball that struck him in front of the stumps. Fellow left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige chipped in with a wicket, dismissing opener Michael Levitt with a delivery that stayed low.
Earlier, Mukkamalla anchored the innings, adding 55 runs for the second wicket with captain Monank Patel (36) and another 54-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Ranjane. The former Mumbai all-rounder’s aggressive hitting in the death overs ensured USA posted a formidable total.
A former student of the VVS Laxman-run cricket academy in Hyderabad, Mukkamalla showcased elegant strokeplay, hitting five fours and four sixes, with most of his big hits coming on the off-side. His driving was particularly impressive, including a straight six off veteran spinner Roelof van der Merwe.
Ranjane, who had earlier scored a fifty against Pakistan, continued his fine form, punishing short-pitched bowling from Bas de Leede and Logan van Beek with powerful pulls. At one stage, a 200-plus total looked likely, but the Dutch bowlers used variations in pace on the slow Chepauk surface to restrict USA to 196.
Overall, it was a comprehensive performance that underlined USA’s growing strength in international cricket.