ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Team India will begin its T20 World Cup 2026 campaign today, February 7th, with a match against the USA. The match will be played at the historic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Both teams will be looking to start the tournament with a win. The Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, is currently in excellent form, but they will certainly not underestimate the USA. This is the same team that defeated Pakistan in 2024.

The Indian team is entering the tournament well-prepared. Their 4-1 home series win against New Zealand is a testament to that. The team is settled, roles are defined, and all that remains is execution. Much of the team's focus is on the top of the batting order, where Abhishek Sharma has emerged as a driving force for India this season.

Fearless in the powerplay and consistent once set, he generates momentum before bowlers can even find their rhythm. This is his stage now, not as a promise, but as a reality. Alongside him, Ishan Kishan has returned in a form that is enough to settle any debate. A brilliant domestic season, a T20I century against New Zealand, and a 53-run knock off 20 balls in the warm-up have secured both the gloves and the opening slot. It's a combination of intent and execution.

Suryakumar Yadav's flair, Hardik Pandya's power and composure, and Rinku Singh's calm demeanor at the end. This is a batting lineup designed to put pressure on bowlers until control becomes an afterthought.

In bowling, India has focused on specialization. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh provide clarity at the beginning and end of the innings. Harshit Rana's pace bowling is effective in the middle overs, while Varun Chakravarthy's mystery spin, Kuldeep Yadav's consistent efforts, and Axar Patel's knack for breaking partnerships are designed to disrupt the rhythm of batsmen once they are set. This team isn't just built to win matches; it's built to dominate the opposition.

For the USA, opening night will be less about responsibility and more about opportunity. They arrive at the Wankhede with no history there, but not without memories. Their victory over Pakistan in the 2024 World Cup still defines how they approach such moments—not as guests asking for permission, but as a team that understands how quickly T20 games can turn.

Monank Patel's leadership embodies that shift. There's no need for noise, just clarity. The USA doesn't need to win every phase; they need to win some phases decisively and manage the rest.

IND vs USA Head-to-Head Records

Only one T20 match has been played so far between Team India and the United States. Team India had the upper hand in that match, winning by seven wickets.

Wankhede Stadium Pitch Report

The pitch at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium is known to be very batsman-friendly. The flat wicket and short boundaries allow batsmen to score freely. The ball comes onto the bat nicely at Wankhede, and there's good bounce. Fast bowlers do get some assistance in the initial overs, but ultimately, it's a batsman's paradise. The match between India and the USA is also likely to be a high-scoring affair.

A total of 13 T20 matches have been played at this venue so far, with the team batting first winning 6 and the team batting second winning 7. The average first innings score here is 178 runs. Teams in Mumbai generally prefer to chase. Therefore, the team that wins the toss is likely to choose to bowl first.

India Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Mohd. Siraj.

USA Squad: Monank Patel (c), Andries Gous (wk), Saiteja Mukkamalla, Shayan Jahangir, Milind Kumar, Shubham Ranjane, Harmeet Singh, Mohammad Mohsin, Ali Khan, Nosthush Kenjige, Saurabh Netravalkar, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Shehan Jayasuriya, Jasdeep Singh, Sanjay Krishnamurthi.

Broadcast and Streaming Details

The India vs USA match will be televised live on the Star Sports Network. Fans looking to stream the game online can watch it on Jio+ Hotstar.