India National Cricket Team vs United States National Cricket Team Match: India left out wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson for their opening ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match against the United States at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed before the match that Ishan Kishan would open the innings with Abhishek Sharma.
Samson had been in the mix for a place in the starting XI but failed to make an impact in the recent T20I series against New Zealand, scoring 46 runs in five matches with a highest score of 10.
Kishan, meanwhile, strengthened his spot with attacking displays in the same series, including a half-century and a century while batting at No. 3. He followed that with a 20-ball 53 in a warm-up game against South Africa and also kept wickets. Samson was part of India’s squad in the 2024 edition but did not feature in a match.
India were also without fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Washington Sundar. Bumrah was ruled out due to illness, with Mohammed Siraj coming into the side after being called up as a replacement for the injured Harshit Rana. Sundar is recovering from a side strain suffered during the ODI series against New Zealand.
The United States won the toss and chose to field, sending India in to bat in their Group A opener.
India vs USA, T20 World Cup 2026 Playing XIs
United States of America (Playing XI): Andries Gous(w), Saiteja Mukkamalla, Monank Patel(c), Milind Kumar, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Shubham Ranjane, Harmeet Singh, Mohammad Mohsin, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Ali Khan, Saurabh Netravalkar
India (Playing XI): Ishan Kishan(w), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Varun Chakaravarthy
