While the United States of America started the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 in a great spirit, especially facing the hosts and defending champions India, USA cricketer Sanjay Krishnamurthi impressed with his batting. His father shared how his son started his cricketing journey. 

It was the Group A match between India and the USA, as both teams started their journey in the tournament with this fixture on Saturday night (February 7) at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The unusual Mumbai pitch surprised everyone, where the Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav's brilliant knock of 84 not out off 49 balls (10 fours and four sixes) guided the hosts to manage the first innings total of 161/9 after losing the toss.

While the USA lost their first three wickets for only 13 runs, the middle-order batters fought hard to manage the total of 132/8 in 20 overs, as they lost the match by 29 runs. 

Watch: Rahmanullah Gurbaz scoops Jacob Duffy for 6 in NZ vs AFG T20 World Cup 2026 clash

Sanjay Krishnamurthi scored crucial 37 runs

Sanjay Krishnamurthi, the 22-year-old right-handed middle-order batter, was the joint highest scorer for the USA in the game by scoring 37 off 31 balls with the help of one four and two sixes. He had an important role for the USA to settle the innings after the top-order collapse. Sanjay had a 58-run partnership with Millind Kumar (34) for the fourth wicket. 

Sanjay Krishnamurthi's father shared his son's cricketing journey beginning

Sanjay Krishnamurthi's father feels proud of his son, as he shared the story of how his son's cricketing journey started. He revealed that his son's cricketing journey started in 2011 at the age of eight, when he experienced India's ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 trophy win at the same stadium, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. 

Father further added that Sanjay was trained in Bengaluru and represented Karnataka. He also added that it was Sanjay's dream to play at this iconic venue, which he fulfilled in the game.

From Karnataka roots to representing the USA on the ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup stage 🤩#SanjayKrishnamurthi’s father shares heartfelt insights into his son’s cricketing journey. 😇

Watch them next 👉 #INDvNAM | THU, FEB 12 | 6 PM pic.twitter.com/YeNUvV2Mh3

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 8, 2026

Apart from being a cricketer, Sanjay Krishnamurthi is also a software engineer.