In a remarkable start to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, the Indian national team secured a 29-run victory over the USA in their opening group match held at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on February 7. India set a target of 162 runs for the USA, who managed to score only 132 runs for 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. This triumph is significant not just for the win itself but also for the records and milestones that were achieved during the match.

Captain Surya Kumar Yadav played a pivotal role in this victory, notching up an impressive 84 runs off just 49 balls, which included 10 fours and four sixes. His outstanding performance earned him the 'Player of the Match' award. With this accolade, Surya Kumar has now become the Indian cricketer with the most 'Player of the Match' awards in T20 internationals, having won it 17 times, surpassing the legendary Virat Kohli, who has 16.

Surya Kumar's achievements are noteworthy as he has now become a key figure in the Indian cricket team, especially in T20 World Cup scenarios. Besides his recent triumph over Kohli, he has also surpassed other prominent players such as Yuvraj Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Rohit Sharma, who each have won the award three times in T20 World Cup history. This match not only showcases the growing prowess of Indian cricket but also illustrates the potential for further successes in the ongoing tournament.