T20 World Cup: Saiteja's 79, Harmeet's 4-fer power USA to historic 93-win over Netherlands

United States of America (USA) kept their T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 ambitions alive with a historic win over the Netherlands on February 13. Entering the contest at the bottom of Group A and facing early elimination, the Americans defied the odds against a Dutch side that had defeated them in all three of their previous T20I encounters.

USA annihilate Netherlands by 93 runs

Playing with clinical precision at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Monank Patel’s side posted a formidable 196/6, their highest-ever T20I total against the Netherlands. Saiteja Mukkamalla anchored the innings with a brilliant 79 off 51 balls, while Shubham Ranjane provided a late-over explosion with an unbeaten 48. This aggressive batting display set the stage for a dominant defensive effort that left the Dutch reeling.

Harmeet Singh roars with fiery four-fer

The American bowling attack was equally relentless, bundling the Netherlands out for just 103 in 15.5 overs to secure a massive 93-run win. Harmeet Singh was the architect of the collapse, claiming a remarkable 4/21, supported by Shadley van Schalkwyk’s three-wicket haul. The margin of victory not only provided a vital boost to the USA's net run rate but also ensured they avoided becoming the first team officially knocked out of the 2026 tournament.

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While the USA celebrates its first-ever T20I win over the Dutch, the Netherlands now faces a daunting "do-or-die" scenario. They must now prepare for a final group-stage clash against an unbeaten Indian side led by Suryakumar Yadav. That high-pressure match is scheduled for February 18 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where only a win can keep their World Cup dreams afloat.

Saiteja Mukkamalla burns bright with robust 79

After being invited to bat first, the United States registered a landmark performance by posting 196/6, their highest-ever T20I total against the Netherlands. This clinical batting display comfortably eclipsed their previous record of 138, set in Bulawayo four years prior. While opener Shayan Jahangir fell for 20, his aggressive intent early on ensured the team maintained a healthy run rate during the initial overs.

Skipper Monank Patel, looking to overcome a string of low scores against India and Pakistan, rediscovered his form with a vital 36 off 22 balls. His innings provided the perfect anchor for the top order, as he combined with Mukkamalla for a 75-run second-wicket partnership that effectively neutralized the Dutch powerplay attack.

Following the captain's departure, the 21-year-old Mukkamalla took absolute command of the crease. He reached his half-century in just 30 deliveries and continued his onslaught to finish with a superb 79 off 51 balls, a knock highlighted by five boundaries and four towering sixes. His dominance was finally curtailed by Bas de Leede, who emerged as the most effective bowler for the Netherlands with disciplined figures of 3/37.

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The momentum did not wane after Mukkamalla’s dismissal, as Shubham Ranjane provided a spectacular finish to the innings. Ranjane’s unbeaten 48 off just 24 balls punished the Dutch bowlers in the death overs, propelling the USA to the brink of the 200-run mark and leaving the opposition with a daunting chase.

The Netherlands’ pursuit of 197 faltered almost immediately when Nosthush Kenjige removed Michael Levitt early to draw first blood. Max O’Dowd and Bas de Leede briefly breathed life into the chase, utilizing a brisk counter-attack to push the score to 41 within the first five overs. However, the momentum shifted decisively when Harmeet Singh dismissed O’Dowd for 13, triggering a middle-order collapse from which the Dutch would never recover.

Harmeet Singh enjoyed a career-defining outing, tearing through the batting lineup with a masterful display of spin. He claimed the key wicket of Bas de Leede, who had managed 23 off 17 balls, before rattling the stumps of captain Scott Edwards to effectively end any hopes of a Dutch comeback. Harmeet finished with extraordinary figures of 4/21 from his four overs, a performance that earned him Player of the Match honors.

The pressure was relentless at both ends, as Shadley van Schalkwyk provided elite support to the spinners. With figures of 3/21, Van Schalkwyk not only helped dismantle the tail but also reinforced his status as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker. Leg-spinner Mohammad Mohsin further choked the scoring rate with a tight spell, as the collective American bowling effort bundled the Netherlands out for just 103 in 15.5 overs to secure a massive 93-run victory.