USA vs NED: In a vital match between the USA and the Netherlands in Chepauk, Chennai, the USA won by 93 runs, preserving their T20 WC 2026 hopes through the power of their batting and spin bowling after scoring 196 and bowling out the Netherlands for just 103.
This victory is the USA’s first over the Netherlands in men’s T20 internationals, as they had suffered defeats in their past encounters. This win also highlights the USA’s rising status in international cricket.
Mukkamalla’s 79 Sets the Platform
Saiteja Mukkamalla was the mainstay of the USA innings, hitting 79 from 51 deliveries in a boundary-laden knock. Once the openers, Shayan Jahangir and Monank Patel, had set the tone with their aggressive stroke play, Mukkamalla took over, ensuring that the USA maintained a run rate of close to 10 per over for almost 14 overs.
Mukkamalla’s aggressive approach ensured that the USA gained momentum throughout the middle overs, which would set the tone for a massive finish.
Shubham Ranjane’s Explosive 48* Powers USA to 196
Though Mukkamalla held the innings together, the fireworks at the end were provided by Shubham Ranjane. His unbeaten 48 off just 24 balls tore apart the Netherlands bowling attack and helped USA to a formidable total of 196. This turned out to be the decisive factor, as the Netherlands had never chased a target of this kind in the history of the T20 World Cup.
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Spin Dominance Defines USA vs NED Encounter
Chepauk has always been known as a spinner-friendly ground, but the difference between the spin departments of the two teams was quite evident in this USA vs NED match.
Netherlands spinners: 5 overs, 60 runs, 0 wickets
USA spinners: 10 overs, 60 runs, 7 wickets
It was not just the difference in the quality of the two teams’ spin departments but also the difference in the way they were used. The USA spinners were very disciplined.
Harmeet Singh’s Four-For Breaks Netherlands’ Backbone
Harmeet Singh was the leading wicket-taker with 4 wickets for 21 runs, his second four-wicket haul in T20 internationals. Harmeet was brought into the attack during the powerplay and made excellent use of the turn and bounce of the wicket, decimating the Dutch middle order.
Nosthush Kenjige started the proceedings in the second over, dismissing Michael Levitt. Mohammad Mohsin chipped in with two wickets, further tightening the screws.
Netherlands was cruising at 41-1, but then collapsed dramatically, losing wickets in clusters. There was a glimmer of hope when Max O’Dowd and Bas de Leede added 45 runs for the sixth wicket, but once that was broken, the innings disintegrated quickly. The Dutch side collapsed from 66-5 to 103 all out, losing five wickets for a mere 28 runs.
Tactical Brilliance on a Turning Track
Though the slower bowlers benefited from the surface, the USA’s spinners had more command over their bowling. By being able to accurately and consistently locate themselves, they were able to find their lengths and bowl to areas that created enough bounce for the Dutch batters to have difficulty. They showed how to bowl exceptionally well on a turning surface and demonstrated that conditions alone don’t determine the success of a team.
USA vs NED: A Historic Turnaround
The win is all the more special given the previous encounters:
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2022, Bulawayo – USA lost by 7 wickets
2024, Utrecht – USA lost by 102 runs
2024, The Hague – USA lost by 4 runs
It was in their fourth encounter that USA was able to convincingly defeat the Dutch and achieve a historic win in T20s.
The match between USA and NED is a display of explosive batting and disciplined spin bowling. Saiteja Mukkamalla’s 79, Shubham Ranjane’s late onslaught, and Harmeet Singh’s four-wicket haul have all contributed to what is one of the most comprehensive wins for USA in the T20 World Cup history.
