Why were the USA penalized 5 runs in their 2024 T20 World Cup match against India?
The 2024 T20 World Cup clash between India and USA in New York was heading toward a tense finish, with the former needing 35 off 30 deliveries. However, just before the start of the 16th over, the USA were penalized five runs. There was some confusion for a few seconds about the reason for the same before clarification came in from the local broadcasters.
It was the third time in the innings that the USA had gone past 60 seconds to start a new over, leading to the five-run penalty. The ICC introduced the rule late last year during their board meeting on a trial basis.
The rule states:
"The CEC agreed to introduce a stop clock on a trial basis in men's ODI and T20I cricket from December 2023 to April 2024. The clock will be used to regulate the amount of time taken between overs. If the bowling team is not ready to bowl the next over within 60 seconds of the previous over being completed, a 5-run penalty will be imposed the third time it happens in an innings."
Unfortunately for USA, the penalty happened at the worst possible time as they were putting the squeeze on India. However, this occurrence made it a run-a-ball with only 30 runs needed off 30 deliveries, much to the disgust of USA skipper Aaron Jones and their players.
India prevail in a tricky run chase against USA to qualify for Super 8
The two unbeaten teams of Group A - India and USA entertained the New York crowd with a low-scoring thriller. After winning the toss and bowling first, the Men in Blue restricted the co-hosts to a sub-par 110/8 in 20 overs.
Yet, the chase was anything but straightforward for the Men in Blue, who lost Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma inside the first three overs. Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant steadied the ship with a 29-run stand before the southpaw fell on 18 off 20 deliveries.
However, Surya was unperturbed, scoring a brilliant 50* off 49 balls on a tacky wicket to take India home by seven wickets in the penultimate over. He was well supported by Shivam Dube, who overcame a slow start to finish 31* off 35.
The win was India's third consecutive to begin their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign as they became the first side from Group A to qualify for the Super 8.