On a difficult Wankhede pitch that offered grip and uneven pace, Suryakumar Yadav delivered a captain’s innings, finishing unbeaten on 84 to steer India to 161 for 9 against USA in their T20 World Cup fixture.

The final margin — a 29-run victory — did not fully reflect how precarious the situation had been. India were struggling at 77 for 6 midway through the innings on a surface that made clean hitting extremely challenging.

Unlike the traditionally flat Wankhede tracks that favour strokeplay, this pitch behaved unpredictably. The ball held in the surface, cutters gripped sharply, and spinners extracted enough turn to make timing difficult. USA’s bowlers, mixing pace variations and disciplined lines outside off stump, restricted India’s scoring options effectively.

Suryakumar’s innings was built on calculated risk rather than recklessness. He chose to trust his range — sweeping the spinners despite the grip, and continuing to target the leg side against seamers operating with angle and change-ups. His ability to generate power without relying purely on pace off the pitch allowed him to access scoring areas others struggled to find.

A dropped return chance early in his innings gave him an opportunity, but from there he controlled the tempo. While wickets fell regularly at the other end, he maintained composure and ensured India posted a competitive total.

In the context of the match, the knock was significant. India were under pressure not just because of the scoreboard, but because dew later in the evening could have made chasing easier. The difference between a below-par total and a defendable one rested almost entirely on Suryakumar’s innings.

He ended with 84 not out from 49 deliveries. During his stay, the rest of the batting unit contributed minimally, underlining the weight of his effort.

On paper, it may appear as a strong innings against lower-ranked opposition. In reality, it was a rescue act on one of the trickier surfaces seen in a T20 at the venue — and a reminder of Suryakumar’s value in pressure situations.

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has once again shown his humorous side, revealing that he has been spending a good amount of his post-retirement time watching Tollywood films. The explosive opener joked that since he has “too much free time now,” he has become an active follower of Telugu cinema — and even named Mahesh Babu and Allu Arjun as two of his favorite stars.

Sehwag’s comments highlight how Telugu cinema has been steadily expanding its reach beyond regional boundaries. With Pan-India releases, strong storytelling, stylish filmmaking, and charismatic stars, Tollywood has built a massive following across the country, including among prominent personalities from sports and entertainment.

Praising Mahesh Babu for his screen presence and grace, Sehwag also appreciated Allu Arjun’s unmatched style and energetic performances. His remarks sparked excitement among fans, many of whom shared the clip widely on social media, celebrating the growing love for Telugu films nationwide.

Sehwag’s lighthearted confession not only reflects his fun personality but also underscores Telugu cinema’s increasing cultural influence across India — reaching audiences far beyond its traditional fan base.

Pakistan emerged victorious in the highly anticipated U19 Asia Cup final, defeating India in a gripping contest that showcased intensity, nerves, and top-class youth talent. The match lived up to expectations as both sides brought high energy to the field, but Pakistan maintained better discipline under pressure and capitalised on key moments to secure a memorable win.

From the start, Pakistan displayed strong intent with both bat and ball. Their top order built a steady foundation, rotating strike well and punishing loose deliveries. A composed middle-order partnership ensured scoreboard control, while a confident finish helped them post a competitive total. India fought hard with the ball but missed crucial breakthroughs at decisive stages, allowing Pakistan to maintain momentum throughout the innings.

In the chase, India began with hope but soon faced setbacks as Pakistan’s bowlers executed a smart, attacking plan. Disciplined line and length, supported by sharp fielding, kept constant pressure on the Indian batters. Regular wickets derailed India’s rhythm and despite moments of resistance, they could not recover fully as Pakistan successfully closed out the match.

The result not only underlines Pakistan’s rising young talent but also highlights the competitive spirit and depth in Asian youth cricket. For India, it’s a tough loss but also a learning experience for future tournaments. Overall, the final delivered excitement, drama, and a strong display of cricketing skill — exactly what fans expected from a high-profile youth showdown.