Chennai turns up, but the Dutch don't

A day before the Netherlands-USA clash in Chennai, Logan van Beek expressed a hope: that the local fans would support the Netherlands as a "favourite second team" and that his side could get the job done against the USA to set up a final group game against India with the chance to do "something special."

Chennai's fans delivered. Nearly 20,000 attended the Friday evening match, surpassing the crowd for the previous game. They cheered top efforts from both sides, with regular "USA! USA!" chants acknowledging the Indian roots of several American players.

Van Beek's first wish was granted—the crowd was there. But his second dream has crumbled. The Netherlands' upcoming match against India in Ahmedabad has lost much of its intrigue after their performance on Friday.

Favoured to win, especially after winning the toss and choosing to bowl at a chasing-friendly Chepauk, the Dutch failed to turn up. The USA sprang a surprise by dropping experienced batter Andries Gous. The move paid off as captain Monank Patel found form, but it was 21-year-old Saiteja Mukkamalla who stood out.

On a surface assisting spin, Netherlands' Roelof van der Merwe gave the ball more air. It spun, but USA's batters, led by Mukkamalla, demolished the Dutch spinners. The absence of injured pacer Paul van Meekeren, the Netherlands' best bowler against Pakistan, was also felt. USA posted 196, the highest score at the venue in this T20 World Cup.

"I think 195 was probably above-par," Netherlands coach Ryan Cook admitted. "We didn't execute with the ball at all… our decision-making and execution wasn't quite up to par tonight."

In the chase, expected dew did not materialise to aid the Dutch. USA's Harmeet Singh exploited the conditions, tossing the ball up and letting the pitch do the work. Dutch wickets fell regularly under scoreboard pressure. Cook noted a lack of recent night-game practice was a factor, but not an excuse.

There was no redemption for Max O'Dowd. Bas de Leede, the team's MVP, contributed with bat and ball, but a 197-run chase required a team effort. Colin Ackermann fell for a golden duck, inexperience showed, and 41/1 quickly became 84/7. The crowd dwindled as the result became a foregone conclusion.

Harmeet Singh, bowling 8 kmph slower on average than in his previous World Cup games, claimed a four-wicket haul and the Player of the Match award. It sealed the USA's first-ever international cricket win over the Netherlands in any format. Notably, while Dutch spinners got more turn, they conceded 12 runs per over without a wicket. USA's spin trio of Harmeet, Mohammad Mohsin, and Nosthush Kenjige took seven wickets while conceding only six per over.

"When you have runs on board, it gives you that liberty… to try to get wickets," Harmeet said. "When batters are coming really hard at you… all you have to do is get a mishit."

The result has dramatically shifted the group dynamics. Until Friday evening, the Netherlands were seen as potential disruptors who could deny India or Pakistan a Super 8 spot. Now, they are level on points with the USA but behind on Net Run Rate. The path for India and Pakistan has been cleared.