Cricket may not be the United States’ home turf, but on March 25th in New York, they stood shoulder to shoulder with one of the sport’s giants in a historic T20 World Cup final. The clash between the United States National Cricket Team and the India National Cricket Team was more than just a David vs Goliath narrative—it was a testament to how far the American side has come and how unpredictable cricket can be.
The 2024 T20 World Cup final in New York rewrote cricket’s script as debutants USA went toe-to-toe with tournament favorites India in an unforgettable showdown on June 12. What began as a predictable coronation for Rohit Sharma’s men transformed into a nerve-shredding contest that proved cricket’s newest entrants belong on the biggest stage. The co-hosts, having already shocked Pakistan and Ireland, brought their A-game to the final – their disciplined bowling attack reducing star-studded India to 52/3 while defending a modest 110.
Jasprit Bumrah’s masterclass (2/10) and Suryakumar Yadav’s gritty fifty ultimately sealed India’s tense 6-wicket victory, but not before Saurabh Netravalkar’s magical dismissal of Virat Kohli and USA’s electric fielding created heart-stopping moments. This was more than a final – it was cricket’s bold new future colliding with its established order, where underdog spirit met champion pedigree under the Long Island lights. While India lifted the trophy, USA’s fearless performance announced their arrival as cricket’s most exciting emerging force.
How Did the USA Make the Finals?
The USA, as co-hosts of the tournament, had an automatic entry—but they didn’t just coast through. Along the way, they stunned former champions Pakistan and a strong Irish side, punching far above their weight. Facing a dominant Indian squad led by Rohit Sharma was a different beast altogether, but the Americans had already shown that they weren’t there just to make up the numbers.
Match Summary: India Clinches It, But USA Wins Hearts
| Team | Total Score | Wickets Lost | Overs Faced |
| USA | 110/8 | 8 | 20 overs |
| India | 111/4 | 4 | 18.4 overs |
Top Performers
Batting Standouts
| Player | Team | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Suryakumar Yadav | India | 50 | 49 | 2 | 1 |
| Shivam Dube | India | 22* | 16 | 2 | 0 |
| Steven Taylor | USA | 14 | 20 | 1 | 0 |
Bowling Highlights
| Player | Team | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Jasprit Bumrah | India | 4 | 10 | 2 | 2.50 |
| Arshdeep Singh | India | 4 | 18 | 2 | 4.50 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | India | 4 | 15 | 2 | 3.75 |
| Saurabh Netravalkar | USA | 4 | 18 | 1 | 4.50 |
| Nosthush Kenjige | USA | 4 | 21 | 1 | 5.25 |
USA Innings: Undone by Indian Precision
Powerplay Pressure (18/2 in 6 Overs)
The Americans never really settled. Arshdeep Singh set the tone early with a lethal LBW against Shayan Jahangir. Bumrah then delivered a signature inswinger to dismiss Gous. The scoreboard barely ticked over—USA’s slowest start of the tournament.
Middle Overs Mayhem
Jadeja and Axar Patel shut down any recovery attempt. Taylor tried to break free but perished on 14, while Corey Anderson’s brief resistance ended just as quickly. At the halfway mark, USA sat at 42/3 and things only went downhill from there.
Death Overs
Despite a few promising strokes from Harmeet Singh and Shadley van Schalkwyk, Bumrah and Arshdeep returned to wrap things up clinically. Bumrah’s searing yorker and Arshdeep’s calm in the death ensured USA could only crawl to 110/8.
India’s Chase: Not As Easy As Expected
Early Jitters (33/2 in 6 Overs)
India’s response wasn’t as smooth as fans had hoped. Kohli’s horror run continued, dismissed LBW by the ever-consistent Netravalkar. Rohit, in explosive form throughout the tournament, misjudged a spinning delivery from Kenjige and chopped on.
Mid-Innings Grind
At 52/3 after 10 overs, India were behind the USA at the same point. But Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube steadied the ship. No risky shots, just intelligent strike rotation and cool-headed play.
Turning Point: The 5-Run Penalty
A rare event in T20 cricket—a 5-run penalty was handed to the USA for slow over-rate. It didn’t just dent the scoreboard—it handed India breathing room and psychological momentum.
SKY’s Anchor Role
Known for his explosive hitting, SKY showed maturity, building his innings slowly and hitting a crucial 50 off 49 balls. Dube supported him well, and the pair ensured India chased down the total with 8 balls and 6 wickets to spare.
Key Moments That Shaped the Final
- Bumrah & Arshdeep’s Early Blitz – Broke USA’s back in the Powerplay.
- Netravalkar Dismissing Kohli – A dream delivery that sent shockwaves.
- USA’s Fiery Fielding – Superb energy, intensity, and commitment.
- Slow Over-Rate Penalty – A small moment with a big impact.
- SKY’s Composure – Proved why he’s more than just a T20 dasher.
Bowling Took Center Stage
USA: Guts, Grit, and Grit Again
- Netravalkar’s 4-0-18-1: Dismissed Kohli with a near-unplayable inswinger.
- Kenjige’s 4-0-21-1: Stifled India’s chase and picked up Rohit.
- Ali Khan: No wickets, but real pace and energy—gave Pant a big scare.
India: Ruthlessly Efficient
- Bumrah: Untouchable. 2 wickets, just 10 runs, and an economy under 3.
- Arshdeep: Controlled the powerplay and returned strong at the death.
- Jadeja & Axar: Choked the middle overs, broke the backbone of USA’s innings.
Fielding: The Silent Game-Changer
Both teams were exceptional in the field. Rishabh Pant’s sharp stumping, Pandya’s missile throws, and boundary saves from Taylor and Dube turned the match into a tactical battle where even single runs mattered.
The Pitch: Not a Run-Fest, But a Nail-Biter
New York’s pitch wasn’t a batting paradise, but it offered balance—enough for bowlers to work with and for batters to adapt. It created a proper contest where skill triumphed over brute force.
Final Verdict: India Survive, USA Thrive
India got the win and the trophy, but the USA walked away with something more valuable—global respect. Their spirited run, fearless bowling, and tactical growth showcased how cricket is beginning to bloom on American soil.
India, meanwhile, will be pleased with the silverware, but the top-order misfires raise eyebrows ahead of bigger challenges.
