Mumbai batter and skipper led from the front as he scored a majestic 84 not out, and with Mohammad Siraj bagging 3-29 to lead a superb effort by the bowlers, India defeated USA by 29 runs and started their campaign on a winning note.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt was a good result to start with, and Surya \u2014 that was a masterclass, outstanding. It was one of the best T20I innings played under pressure,\u201d Gambhir said to BCCI.tv<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Reflecting on India\u2019s narrow escape after early jitters, the Indian captain said the victory was both a special moment and a valuable learning experience for the players and support staff.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a very, very special feeling to win after a few scares and hiccups, but it\u2019s also an eye-opener for the boys and the support staff. I\u2019ve played in similar situations before, so I knew that staying there for my side was crucial.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With India struggling at 77\/6, Surya and Axar Patel raised a vital 41 runs for the seventh wicket partnership. The Indian skipper then put on display his 360-degree stroke-making abilities and power-hitting as he hammered two sixes and two fours in the final over to help India reach 161\/9 in 20 overs. Mohammad Siraj claimed three wickets for 29 runs, and with Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel bagging two wickets each, India strangled the USA innings and restricted them for 132\/8 to win by 29 runs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The captain admitted that India struggled to adjust to challenging batting conditions, stressing the importance of honest assessment rather than overlooking shortcomings despite the win.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI understand it was a difficult wicket to bat on, and we are not used to conditions like these. But at the same time, you can\u2019t brush everything under the carpet. We have to understand how we could have batted better. At the end of the day, you learn and move on.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The captain admitted that India struggled to adjust to challenging batting conditions, stressing the importance of honest assessment rather than overlooking shortcomings despite the win.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always special to play at the Wankhede, and I knew that when I walked out as captain of this team, it would be buzzing \u2014 and the crowd didn\u2019t disappoint.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n