Wankhede Stadium buzzed with anticipation as USA captain Monank Patel called right at the toss in their T20 World Cup 2026 showdown with India, choosing to field first. The decision came on a batting paradise pitch, absent star Indian quick Jasprit Bumrah, who sits out injured with Mohammad Siraj replacing him in the lineup.
Patel’s post-toss thoughts were tactical: ‘Bowling first suits us on this high-scoring venue. We’ll chase a target. USA cricket is on the rise, backed by strong warm-up showings at DY Patil. Our XI mixes six pure batsmen, dual all-rounders, and three specialists.’ This strategic setup aims to pressure India’s formidable batting order early.
India’s Suryakumar Yadav masked disappointment gracefully. ‘Wanted to bat, but the pitch and wind favor us without dew worries. Vibe is phenomenal,’ he shared. Absences of Washington Sundar and Sanju Samson test depth, yet the side packs punch with explosive openers and finishers like Hardik Pandya.
India launches its Group A journey here, eyeing Namibia next on Feb 12, the electrifying India-Pakistan clash on Feb 15 (shrouded in mystery), and Netherlands on Feb 18. Historically, India holds sway over USA in T20s, having defended a low total in their solitary 2024 World Cup meeting.
Full India XI: Ishan Kishan (keeper), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj.
USA XI: Saiteja Mukkamalla, Andries Gous (wk), Monank Patel (c), Milind Kumar, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Shubham Ranjane, Mohammad Mohsin, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan.
With underdogs USA daring the giants, this match promises drama, skill, and possibly an upset in the heart of Mumbai’s cricket madness.