India Playing XI vs USA Playing XI is an anticipated clash between players from both the teams and an opportunity for India to seal their final match before the much-awaited clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on 15th February.
India will be eyeing the World Cup title for the second consecutive time. However, in the history of the T20 World Cup, neither has any team won the title for consecutive years nor has any team won it on its home soil. But India has all these opportunities as well as a chance to seal it for the third time in its history.
This article provides the probable playing XIs of India and United States for the first T20 World Cup clash in India, along with possible player combinations and key players to watch out for at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
India Playing XI vs USA Playing XI, Match No. 3 – ICC T20 World Cup 2026
India Playing XI vs USA – ICC T20 World Cup
Openers: Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan
Indian opener Abhishek Sharma along with pocket dynamite Ishan Kishan form one of the most destructive opening pairs. Sanju Samson is currently earmarked as India’s opening batsman, but discussions have emerged about replacing him with in-form Kishan.
Aggressive opening batsmen have their own aura when they shake up the Indian batting innings with their intentional strokeplay. The T20 World Cup could usher in a new era in Indian cricket, with two left-handed batsmen taking the lead.
Middle order batsmen: Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dubey, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya
Although Tilak Verma’s return is awaited, it can still be certain that he will be an unstoppable part of the Indian lineup. Captain Suryakumar Yadav has also shown some spark of the dynamic batsman in him returning to prime form.
Rinku Singh remains an essential and reliable finisher in the format, and considering his form, he will be a part of the eleven. Behind him will be Gambhir’s showman, all-rounder.
Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dubey are two weapons who carry the weight of this team. He is a great white-ball hitter, fast on the field and can perform well with the ball at times when the team needs it most.
Bowlers: Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakraborty
Team all-rounder and vice-captain Axar Patel is likely to make a comeback in the T20 World Cup to pair with Varun Chakravarthy in the spin department.
Fast bowlers from the successful World Cup 2024 season, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are likely to remain with the Indian team and take charge of their new ball.
India’s playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dubey, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakraborty.
USA Playing XI vs India – ICC T20 World Cup
Openers: Steven Taylor and Shayan Jahangir
Veteran batsman Steven Taylor has missed a few matches in recent times, but he is a key player at the top for the United States and will pair with Shayan Jahangir.
Middle-order batsmen: Monank Patel (captain/wicketkeeper), Andries Gaus, Milind Kumar, Sanjay Krishnamurthy
The captain will be the architect of their innings in the middle order, and the United States will look to him for most of their runs in the absence of Aaron Jones. Andries Goss brings some aggression to the batting.
Milind Kumar and Sanjay Krishnamurthy may tour their native land, but they are also vital to the USA batting if they lose a few wickets early on.
Bowlers: Harmeet Singh, JC Singh, Nishthush Kenjige, Saurabh Netrawalkar and Ali Khan
The United States does not have many all-rounders, and Harmeet Singh, who can bat, will round out their batting depth. Instead, Jassi Singh, orthodox spinner Kenjige and two fast bowlers Netravalkar and Ali Monank Patel will form the main bowling attack.
USA playing eleven: Steven Taylor, Shayan Jahangir, Monank Patel (captain/wicketkeeper), Andries Gaus, Milind Kumar, Sanjay Krishnamurthy, Harmeet Singh, Jesse Singh, Nishthush Kenjige, Saurabh Netrawalkar and Ali Khan..
Also read: Gautam Gambhir is a bigger threat to India’s T20 World Cup 2026 dreams than any rival – know why
