Mumbai, Feb 8 (NationPress) Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of India, praised Suryakumar Yadav for his extraordinary innings of unbeaten 84 against the USA in the T20 World Cup 2026, labeling it a “masterclass” and one of the most remarkable T20I performances under pressure, marking a successful beginning to the series.

The Mumbai-based captain took charge with a splendid 84 not out, while Mohammad Siraj led the bowling attack with figures of 3-29, guiding India to a 29-run victory over the USA, thereby kicking off their campaign positively.

“This was a great result to start our journey, and Surya’s innings was nothing short of a masterclass, truly outstanding. It stands out as one of the best T20I innings crafted under pressure,” Gambhir remarked during an interview with BCCI.tv.

Reflecting on India’s close victory amidst early challenges, the Indian skipper emphasized that the win represented both a significant moment and a valuable lesson for the players and coaching staff.

“Winning after overcoming a few hurdles is a very special feeling, but it’s also an eye-opener for everyone involved. Having faced similar situations in my career, I recognized the importance of my presence for the team,” he added.

When India found themselves struggling at 77/6, Surya and Axar Patel forged a crucial partnership, scoring 41 runs for the seventh wicket. The Indian captain then showcased his range of strokes and power-hitting, launching two sixes and two fours in the final over to propel India to 161/9 in their 20 overs. Siraj’s exceptional bowling, along with Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel’s two wickets each, constrained the USA to 132/8, securing a 29-run victory.

The captain acknowledged that India faced difficulties adapting to the challenging batting conditions, stressing the necessity of a candid evaluation rather than overlooking flaws despite the win.

“I recognize it was a tough pitch to bat on, and we are not accustomed to such conditions. However, we cannot ignore our shortcomings. We must strive to improve our batting performance. Ultimately, every match is a learning experience,” he stated.

Discussing his experience of leading the team at his home ground, the captain expressed that captaining India at the Wankhede Stadium was a unique experience and credited the enthusiastic crowd for creating an electrifying atmosphere.

“Playing at the Wankhede is always special, and I knew that stepping out as captain today, the crowd would be electric—and they certainly delivered,” he concluded.