T20 World Cup 2026: Saiteja Mukkamalla Creates History at MA Chidambaram Stadium

The 21st match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is being played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. In this match, Saiteja Mukkamalla of the USA, who is just 21 years old, has made a new record. Saiteja scored 79 runs in a match against the Netherlands in the T20 World Cup 2026. With this achievement, Saiteja has become the joint number one batsman in T20 international cricket in terms of half-centuries.

Satheja Mukkamalla has managed this feat seven times in 20 innings so far. In this context, he is equal to captain Monank Patel, who has seven half-centuries in 39 innings. At the same time, Andries Gaus is at the second position with six half-centuries in 26 innings, while Steven Taylor, who has five half-centuries in 29 innings, is at the third position.

In the match being played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday, the USA, after losing the toss and opting to bat, scored 196 runs for the loss of six wickets. The pair of captain Monank Patel and Shayan Jahangir provided a steady start for the team. The two players shared a 27-run partnership in 2.5 overs. Shayan was dismissed for 20 off 14 balls.

Captain Monank then put the team in a strong position with Satheja Mukkamalla, adding 55 runs for the second wicket in 37 balls. Monank returned to the pavilion after scoring 36 runs in 22 balls with 1 six and 3 fours. Saiteja shared a 54-run partnership in 35 balls for the fourth wicket with Shubham Ranjane. Saiteja was out after scoring 79 runs in 51 balls with 4 sixes and 5 fours, while Shubman remained unbeaten on 48 runs in 24 balls with 2 sixes and 3 fours.

For the opposition, Bas de Leede took 3 wickets for 37 runs, while Logan van Beek, Kyle Klein, and Fred Klaassen took 1 wicket each. USA, in Group A, lost their opening match of the tournament to India by 29 runs, before being defeated by Pakistan by 32 runs.