In a group league match of the T20 World Cup in Chennai on Friday, the United States defeated the Netherlands by 93 runs thanks to an impressive 79 from Saiteja Mukkamalla and a four-wicket haul from former India U-19 star Harmeet Singh for their maiden triumph over the Dutch.
The USA’s competitive total of 196/6 was built on the 51-ball knock of Mukkamalla, while all-rounder Shubham Ranjane once again demonstrated his abilities with a crucial 24-ball 48 not out. The Netherlands were bowled out for 103 in 15.5 overs, despite left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh (4/21) not bowling too many wicket-taking deliveries.
Harmeet registered the best figures for any bowler from the USA in a T20 World Cup match. Two of Harmeet’s wickets were actually half-trackers that were hit straight to the fielders: all-rounder Bas de Leede (23) and opener Max O’Dowd (13).
The two other deliveries were perfect: a straighter one that caught Roelof de Merwe in front, and a flat and skiddy one that got past opponent captain Scott Edwards’ defence.
Left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige hit a ball that stayed so low that Michael Levitt, the opener, had to play all over it. On a pitch that grew slower, the Netherlands were never truly in the game for a chase.
A challenging 196/6 after 20 overs was secured by Ranjane’s late burst after Mukkamalla had earlier given the impetus with a 51-ball 79.
In order to get the team total close to 200, Mukkamalla added 55 for the second wicket with captain Monank Patel (36) and another 54 for the fourth wicket with former Mumbai all-rounder Ranjane, who made effective use of the long handle.
Former student of VVS Laxman’s cricket academy in Hyderabad, Mukkamalla scored four sixes and five fours. His off-side hitting, which included maximums over covers, was particularly noteworthy. Ranjane attacked the Netherlands bowlers’ short-ball strategy towards the finish, and his drives were excellent.
Mukkamalla smashed former South Africa left-arm spinner Roelof van der Merwe for a straight six. A 200-plus total was probable when Ranjane and Mukkamalla were at the crease together. Ranjane had scored a fifty against Pakistan and was in excellent form. Nevertheless, on a somewhat sluggish Chepauk course, van Beek and de Leede exploited a deft shift of speed to recover.
