Overview:
For the USA, Saurabh made an impression in the 2024 T20 World Cup, and this will be another chance for him to shine.
The Indian men’s cricket team is set to take on the USA in the 3rd match of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup campaign, starting February 7. Notably, this match will be held at 7:00 pm IST at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Before this clash, Pakistan will play the Netherlands in the opener at 11:00 am IST, before West Indies and Scotland clash at 3:00 pm IST.
India are the defending champions and are aiming to win their 3rd T20 World Cup. They won the inaugural tournament in 2007.
India, under Suryakumar Yadav, will be aiming to tick the right boxes. They have played quality T20I cricket of late, and there are some prolific match-winners out there.
For the USA, this is their 2nd T20 World Cup appearance. They made an impression in the 2024 event on home soil.
What is the Context of the IND vs USA match?
India made some bold calls when the squad was picked, dropping Shubman Gill and including Ishan Kishan. An injury to Tilak Varma saw Kishan get his chance, and he grabbed the same with both hands in the T20I series against New Zealand.
His form and Sanju Samson’s failure in the series mean Kishan will open alongside Abhishek Sharma. Meanwhile, Samson will warm the bench.
India also suffered a blow in the form of Harshit Rana, who is set to be ruled out of the tournament with an injury. Mohammed Siraj is reportedly his replacement.
The USA will be aiming to put up a fight. In a recent warm-up clash against India A, the USA cricket team put up a fight by scoring 200 after the former scored 238/3 in 20 overs.
As per ESPNcricinfo, India have played 6 T20Is at the Wankhede Stadium. They have 4 wins and 2 defeats.
India and the USA clashed in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where the Men in Blue won.
India – Probable Playing XI
Abhishek Sharma: The star batter owns 1297 T20I runs from 38 games at 37.05 (SR: 194.74). He has two tons and 8 fifties.
Ishan Kishan (wk): He enjoyed a terrific series against New Zealand. It included a century in the 5th T20I. He has scored 1011 runs for India at 28.88 (100s: 1, 50s: 7).
Tilak Varma: He missed the New Zealand T20I series before making a return in the warm-up clashes for India A and the Indian team, respectively. He looked in top gear and delivered the goods.
Suryakumar Yadav (c): He enjoyed a prolific series versus the Kiwis, and after a disappointing 2025, he seems to have pushed the demons out. Recently, he surpassed 3000 T20I runs.
Shivam Dube: A fierce player, Dube will be pretty handy with his explosive hits and ability to dish out overs with the ball.
Rinku Singh: India will want to bat deep and have options. Rinku seems like a fine bet. His fielding, too, is a plus.
Hardik Pandya: The star all-rounder can be India’s match-winner. He owns over 2000 T20I runs and 100 scalps.
Axar Patel: He will likely come in at 8 or be used as a floater. Axar, with his all-round abilities, will lend a cushion. He has 686 runs and 86 scalps.
Jasprit Bumrah: He will lead the Indian attack. Bumrah will be key both at the top and in the death overs. He owns 107 scalps.
Varun Chakravarthy: He will be the main spinner in India’s ranks. He owns an average of 15.69 in T20Is and has 59 wickets.
Arshdeep Singh: With Harshit ruled out, India will field Arshdeep Singh. He is India’s top wicket-taker in T20Is with 118 scalps.
Player to watch out for (Abhishek Sharma): The aggressive opener can attack any opposition and take them to the cleaners. He will be someone India can rely on for fireworks upfront.
USA – Probable Playing XI
Saiteja Mukkamalla: In 18 matches, he has scored 639 runs at an impressive average of 42.60. He owns 1 ton and 5 fifties.
Andries Gous (wk): In 25 matches, he has scored 751 runs at 32.65 with the help of six fifties.
Shayan Jahangir: He is 19 T20Is old and owns a tally of 371 runs at 30.91. He has hit two fifties.
Monank Patel (c): The USA skipper is his side’s top scorer in T20Is with a tally of 920 runs. He owns 1 ton and six fifties.
Milind Kumar: He will be aiming to bring a solid game into play. Kumar averages 32.20 from 21 matches (17 innings).
Harmeet Singh: With a strike rate of 148-plus, Harmeet can be helpful as a finisher for the USA. He owns three fifties.
Shubham Ranjane: He has featured in several global T20 leagues. Until March 2022, he played domestic First-Class cricket in India before moving to the USA.
Mohammad Mohsin: The Pakistan-origin player will make his debut for the USA. He owns 24 wickets from 33 T20s.
Shadley van Schalkwyk: The 37-year-old has claimed 15 wickets in T20Is at 27.46 from 14 matches.
Saurabh Netravalkar: The former India U-19 player owns 40 T20I wickets for USA at 22.92.
Ali Khan: The Pakistan-born player moved to the USA at 18 years of age. He has played 18 T20Is and owns 16 scalps.
Player to watch out for (Saurabh Netravalkar): He made an impression in the 2024 T20 World Cup, and this will be another chance for him to shine.
Top Batters for Dream11
In terms of the Dream11 team pick, among batters, the likes of Monank Patel, Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav can be wise picks alongside Andries Gous and Shayan Jehangir.
Ishan Kishan can be a differential pick. He promises fireworks and a sound tempo.
Best All-Rounders to Boost Points
In terms of all-rounders, one can go with two sound options in the form of Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube.
Bowlers to Watch in Dream11
With the surface being balanced, the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Saurabh Netravalkar can be wise picks. Varun Chakravarthy can be an option in spin.
Captain and Vice-captain picks
Abhishek can be an ideal captaincy option with Patel being the vice-captain pick.
One can mix it with Kishan being picked as captain and having Saurabh Netravalkar as the vice-captain.
Pitch Report & Venue Conditions
The surface at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is usually a high-scoring affair. It’s more of a batting-friendly surface with pacers enjoying bowling with the new ball. Spinners will have a say in the middle overs but need to build on their application. The dew will be something all teams will keep an eye on here. Batting will get easier in the 2nd innings.
Match Prediction – Who Has the Upper Hand?
All things considered, India will be the outright favourites, and one expects them to stamp their authority on the USA. The minnows would want to show why they are in this tournament and put up a fight.
FAQs About IND vs USA Playing 11
Who are the key players in the IND vs USA clash?
For the USA, Saurabh made an impression in the 2024 T20 World Cup, and this will be another chance for him to shine. For India, Abhishek can attack any opposition and take them to the cleaners. He will be someone India can rely on for fireworks upfront.