India will begin its World Cup title defense in Mumbai on February 7. The team will face the United States in their first match of the 2026 T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium. After a successful title-winning campaign in 2024 under Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav aims to replicate that success in 2026.
Abhishek Sharma, the top-ranked T20I batter, is set to make his first ICC appearance with the senior team, opening the innings alongside Ishan Kishan. Kishan has been in strong form, giving him the advantage over Sanju Samson.
Although Samson was appointed as the primary keeper-batter for the 2026 T20 World Cup squad last December, he struggled in the T20I series against New Zealand. In contrast, Kishan shone with a significant 76 in the second match and a quick hundred in the final game.
Kishan continued to impress in a warm-up match against South Africa, scoring 53 runs off just 20 balls in Navi Mumbai.
Tilak Varma, who missed the five-match T20I series against New Zealand due to injury, showed his readiness in the warm-up games and is expected to bat at No. 3. He will be followed by Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, and Hardik Pandya in the batting order.
The bowling lineup will likely feature Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, with world No. 1 T20I spinner Varun Chakaravarthy leading the spin attack.
India’s probable playing XI for the T20 World Cup 2026 match against the USA: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
