Saiteja Mukkamalla’s explosive half-century propelled United States (USA) to a total of 196 runs against Netherlands in their must-win ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Friday.
Netherlands captain Scott Edwards’ decision to field first backfired as USA piled up 196/6 in their 20 overs.
USA got off to a shaky start to their innings when opener Shayan Jahangir (20) fell victim to Kyle Klein on the penultimate delivery of the third over with just 27 runs on the board.
After the early stutter, captain Monank Patel was then joined by Mukkamalla in the middle for an anchoring partnership of 45 runs for the second wicket, which culminated in the former’s dismissal in the ninth over.
Patel was caught off guard by Bas de Leede’s slower delivery and walked back after scoring 36 off 22 deliveries with the help of three fours and a six.
USA then suffered another setback when Fred Klaassen dismissed Sanjay Krishnamurthi (one) 11 balls later and were reduced to 105/3 in 11 overs.
Mukkamalla then shared a crucial 54-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Shubham Ranjane before eventually falling prey to de Leede, who spearheaded Holland’s bowling attack with sensational figures of 3/37 in his four overs.
Saiteja Mukkamalla remained the top scorer for the USA with a 51-ball 79 studded with five fours and four sixes.
After his departure, Ranjane took the reins of the USA batting expedition and ensured a strong finish by adding valuable runs at the backend despite losing partners at the other end. He made an unbeaten 48 off 24 deliveries, laced with three fours and two sixes.
For Holland, Logan van Beek, Klaassen and Klein could pick up a wicket each in addition to de Leede.
