Table of Contents

Pin-drop silence. That is the only way to describe the iconic Wankhede Stadium right now. We thought we saw the peak of the USA’s giant-killing abilities when they stunned cricketing heavyweights Pakistan in the 2024 World Cup, but this? This was simply not in the script. And one must give the USA its flowers.

Also Read: 'We worked really hard for that trophy': Rohit Sharma gets nostalgic

Against the World No. 1-ranked nation in their own backyard, the USA has orchestrated a mega-collapse that will go down in history.

The Shadley Shock

The chaos began with a spell of bowling that tore the heart out of the Indian top order. Shadley van Schalkwyk delivered an over for the ages, claiming three wickets in a single over. In doing so, he became only the second bowler from an Associate nation to take three wickets in an over against a Full Member in a T20 World Cup, emulating Karthik Meiyappan’s feat for the UAE against Sri Lanka in Geelong (2022).

Powerplay Nightmare ft. USA

India’s vaunted batting lineup was left reeling at 46/4 after the first six overs. This stands as India’s third-lowest Powerplay total in home T20Is since the 2024 World Cup.

Seeing four Indian batters walk back inside the Powerplay is a terrifying rarity. This is only the sixth time in all T20Is that India has lost four wickets in the first six overs, and significantly, only the second time in T20 World Cups, bringing back haunting memories of the 29/4 collapse against New Zealand in Nagpur (2016). It also marks the fourth time a Full Member side has lost four Powerplay wickets against an Associate in tournament history.

No Respite: The Slide to 77/6

Even after the dust settled on the Powerplay, there was no escape. India crawled to 63/4 by the halfway mark, their lowest total at the end of the 10th over in 18 home T20Is post the 2024 World Cup.

A brief, desperate stabilising act by Rinku Singh and Suryakumar Yadav offered a glimmer of hope, but the USA attack was relentless. The respite was short-lived as India lost yet another quickfire couple of wickets. First Rinku, then the dangerous Hardik Pandya fell, dragging the score from a recovering 45/2 down to a disastrous 77/6.

This collapse to 77/6 is historic in the worst way possible: it is the lowest total at which India have lost their sixth wicket against an Associate team in T20Is.

The "Giant Killers" have arrived in Mumbai, and they aren't just here to compete; they are here to conquer.