USA announces T20 World Cup 2026 squad:
The United States (USA) has unveiled its 15-member squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. This thrilling tournament kicks off on February 7, with America set to face host India in the opening match. The responsibility of leading the team once again falls on the experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Monank Patel, who also captained the USA in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
This marks the USA's consecutive participation in the T20 World Cup, having made history by defeating Pakistan and reaching the Super-8 during their debut tournament in 2024. Players with roots in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are part of this diverse squad. Notably, 10 players from the 2024 T20 World Cup are returning.
The squad sees the return of seasoned players such as Jessy Singh, Andries Gous, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, and Ali Khan. In particular, Andries Gous was the top scorer with 219 runs for the USA in the 2024 World Cup, while Saurabh Netravalkar claimed six wickets.
New faces are also stepping onto the field, with Shubham Ranjane set to potentially make his T20I debut during this tournament, alongside Mohamed Mohsin and Shihan Jayasuriya making their international cricket debut as well.
However, the exclusion of Aaron Jones has been the biggest shock, following his suspension by the ICC due to alleged match-fixing during the BIM10 League in Barbados in the 2023-24 season. The USA is placed in Group A, where they will confront formidable teams such as India, Pakistan, the Netherlands, and Namibia. Their campaign begins on February 7 at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium against India, followed by an encounter with Pakistan in Colombo on February 10, with final group stage matches in Chennai.
On September 23, USA Cricket faced suspension from ICC
The International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended USA Cricket on September 23 due to severe administrative and financial breaches. Despite this, the ICC Board clarified that the national team's players would not suffer the repercussions, ensuring their continued involvement in ICC events under interim ICC oversight if necessary.
Post-suspension and voluntary entry into Chapter-11 bankruptcy proceedings, the national team program faced challenges. This prompted the development of a new, transparent selection system in collaboration with the ICC and the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), ensuring merit-based selections.
All selection panel members submitted conflict of interest forms to USOPC, and selection meetings were monitored by a USOPC-appointed compliance officer to adhere to cricket selection rules strictly.
Prior to the World Cup, the USA team engaged in an extensive training camp in Sri Lanka, honing skills under sub-continental conditions, with emphasis on skill development, game awareness, and team bonding.
USA T20 World Cup 2026 Squad:
Monank Patel (C), Jessy Singh (VC), Andries Gous, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Sanjay Krishnamurthy, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Mohamed Mohsin, Shubham Ranjane
USA Group Stage Schedule
February 7, 2026: India vs USA, Mumbai
February 10, 2026: Pakistan vs USA, Colombo
February 13, 2026: Netherlands vs USA, Chennai
February 15, 2026: New Zealand vs USA, Chennai
