Then came Sanjay Krishnamurthi.
The 22-year-old, who has been a rare constant in a USA engine room that has seen plenty of change through this World Cup, launched Scholtz for two massive sixes to kickstart a punishing final phase for USA that saw it add 83 runs in the final six overs.
He finished the innings unbeaten on 68 from just 33 balls, a vital maiden World Cup half-century in USA 31-run victory here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.
“It’s really special,” Krishnamurthi said after the match. “I came into this game with no expectation of any personal milestone, but being able to lift my bat and wave it around at this incredible crowd was really special.”
Krishnamurthi’s attacking intent was on display early in the innings. Entering the scene in the 11 over, he quickly got out of the blocks, buoyed by the momentum from USA’s highest opening stand at the World Cup from captain Monank Patel and Shayan Jahangir. Krishnamurthi smacked Namibia skipper Gerhard Erasmus – who had claimed four wickets in the last match against India – for a massive six.
That aggression was a conscious point of focus for the youngster.
ALSO READ | Ishan Kishan’s muscular knock helps India thump Pakistan
“Before the game even started, I told myself that I’m going to play absolutely freely, and whatever happens happens. I think that’s when I find myself at my best,” he explained.
“My mindset was to try to get those runs for the team and not worry about building myself an innings. So that’s why I was looking for boundaries from the beginning.”
Contrary to what the scoreboard may suggest though, the Chepauk pitch was far from a flat one, and the USA number four’s innings demanded some calculation.
“The spinners were operating quite well and the balls were gripping on the pitch. So we tried to assess. I think after 14 overs during the timeout, our coach said (sic) at least 175. That meant 60 runs in six overs, that’s like the bare minimum and then we’ll get more from there if we get it.”
Sunday’s knock will add another layer of gloss to Krishnamurthi’s already growing reputation in the game. He came into the tournament fresh off his first foray into the world of franchise cricket as an overseas player for MI Emirates in the ILT20, and has made an impression representing San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket, where his teammates included the likes of Finn Allen, Haris Rauf, and Pat Cummins.
“I’ve enjoyed it a lot, especially MLC, getting to play against the best players in the world who come to the US and learning off of them,” Krishnamurthi said. “It’s the guys like Finn Allen in my team that I really look up to in his ball striking ability, and then the coaches; Shane Watson has helped me a lot for sure.”
He credits his work with Watson particularly, one of Chennai’s adopted sons himself, in helping him develop his game.
“In the first season (at the Unicorns) I was 19 and I got to work with him. I think he really liked my ability. I had worked with a baseball coach a little bit on my power hitting. He saw something in me there, and he helped improve that, especially these shots over the offside, keeping the shoulder engaged.”
Krishnamurthi also noted that exposure to franchise cricket has also helped the USA players – who have played in Mumbai, Colombo, and Chennai across this tournament – to adapt to conditions.
“A lot of us have played franchise cricket around the world, so the conditions were not too different,” he said. “Even the first game in Mumbai against India, where the pitch was quite tricky, I think it’s still better than a lot of the stuff we’re used to.”
Perhaps the only piece of timing Krishnamurthi didn’t perfect on Sunday was personal. His family has attended every match of the tournament so far but couldn’t make the Namibia match, thus missing out on watching him score a fifty.
If Sunday is anything to go by though, they will have plenty more chances to do just that.
Published on Feb 15, 2026
Discover more from News Link360
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
