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Harmeet Singh's 4-21 Spins USA to Crushing 93-Run T20 WC Win Over Netherlands

USA spin-bowling all-rounder Harmeet Singh produced a match-winning spell of 4 for 21 to dismantle the Netherlands chase and secure a 93-run victory in the T20 World Cup. Harmeet, named Player of the Match, revealed his plan was to trust the spin-friendly Chennai pitch and remain patient while backing his strengths. He credited batters Saiteja Mukkamalla, who made a fluent 79, and Shubham Ranjane for setting up a formidable total of 196 that allowed the bowlers to attack. The comprehensive performance with both bat and ball underscored USA's growing credentials on the global stage.

Key Points: Harmeet Singh 4-21 Leads USA to T20 World Cup Win vs Netherlands

  • Harmeet Singh took best USA T20 WC bowling figures of 4/21
  • USA bowled Netherlands out for 103 defending 197
  • Spinner exploited gripping Chennai pitch with patience
  • Saiteja Mukkamalla's 79 set up the commanding total
3 min read

T20 WC: 'Plan was to stay patient and back my strengths,' says Harmeet on match-winning 4-21 against the Netherlands

USA's Harmeet Singh named Player of the Match for his 4-21, explaining his plan of patience and spin on a gripping Chennai pitch in a 93-run victory.

"The plan was to really spin the ball... staying patient and backing my strengths. - Harmeet Singh"

Chennai, Feb 13

USA's spin-bowling all-rounder Harmeet Singh credited patience and sticking to his strengths after producing the best bowling figures for the team in a T20 World Cup match to set up a 93-run win over the Netherlands in a Group A clash of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Harmeet was named Player of the Match for his decisive spell of 4/21, which broke the backbone of the Dutch chase as they were bowled out for 103 in pursuit of 197. His strikes in the middle overs ensured there was no way back for the Netherlands after the USA had posted 196/6.

Reflecting on the conditions and his approach, Harmeet, after receiving the award, said, "When I first saw the wicket in the first innings, the ball was holding a bit - even when I went in to bat. So the plan was to really spin the ball. During the Powerplay, when I bowled, it gripped a couple of times straight away, so I decided to trust that and not change too much. It was almost like a one-day plan - staying patient and backing my strengths."

The left-armer revealed that there was constant communication with the skipper about exploiting the surface, especially when the opposition attempted to counterattack.

"Yes, absolutely. That was the conversation we had during the innings - that there was assistance if we were willing to give the ball some spin. So whenever we were under pressure, the idea was to go back to spinning the ball rather than forcing anything," he mentioned.

USA's bowlers were defending a formidable total set up by a fluent 79 from Saiteja Mukkamalla and a late flourish from Shubham Ranjane. Harmeet acknowledged the platform laid by the batters, which allowed him the freedom to attack.

"Full credit to the batters. Saiteja gave us a fantastic start, and Shubham finished it off beautifully. They gave us a great total to work with, which allowed me to go out there, bowl with freedom, and really spin the ball. There's been a lot of talk about us, but I think we've shown that we belong here. We've already shown what we can do, and today I think we proved that we can do it with the ball as well," he concluded.

With both bat and ball clicking in unison, the USA delivered a commanding performance, and Harmeet's match-winning spell stood out as the defining act of the evening.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan living in the US, this is so exciting to see! The team is really proving they belong. Harmeet's spell was clinical. The way he talked about sticking to his plan under pressure was very professional. Great win!
V
Vikram M
Brilliant bowling figures of 4/21! He exploited the Chepauk conditions like a seasoned pro. It's interesting to see players who learned their cricket in India now representing other nations and doing so well. Adds a great dynamic to the World Cup.
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Priya S
While I'm happy for his individual success, a part of me feels a bit conflicted. So much talent in India, and players like him have to look elsewhere for opportunities. The system needs to retain these players. But anyway, kudos to him for a match-winning spell! 👏
R
Rohit P
His analysis was spot on. "Staying patient and backing my strengths" – that's the mantra for any spinner in T20 cricket where batsmen are always coming at you. The USA team is becoming a fun side to watch. They play fearless cricket.
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Michael C
A comprehensive win. The batting set it up, but Harmeet's bowling sealed it. Shows the importance of all-rounders in this format. The Netherlands had no answer once he got into his rhythm. The USA is a genuine threat in this group now.

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