Mumbai: In the third match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group A at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, USA captain Monank Patel won the toss and elected to bowl first against defending champions India. The decision sets up an intriguing opener for India, who are kicking off their title defense campaign under lights. As of 7:09 PM IST, play is in progress with India at 0/0 after 0.3 overs, openers Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan facing Saurabh Netravalkar.
Toss and Captains’ Reactions
The toss took place at 6:30 PM IST, with Monank Patel calling correctly and opting to field. “We are going to bowl first,” said Patel, emphasizing the potential advantage of evening conditions and dew at Wankhede. India skipper Suryakumar Yadav responded, “We were looking to bat first,” indicating the team’s preference to set a target on a pitch known to reward clean hitting but challenge with early movement.
Patel also described leading USA as “a dream come true,” highlighting the underdogs’ mindset against a formidable opponent.
Team Lineups and Key Changes
India, dealing with a setback, have made adjustments to their XI. Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah is unavailable due to illness, with Mohammed Siraj stepping in. Wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson has been benched, paving the way for Ishan Kishan to return, while Washington Sundar also misses out.
India Playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (C), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj.
USA Playing XI: Andries Gous (wk), Monank Patel (C), Saiteja Reddy Mukkamalla, Milind Kumar, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Shubham Ranjane, Harmeet Singh, Mohammad Mohsin, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Ali Khan, Saurabh Netravalkar.
Full squads include reserves like Tilak Varma and Kuldeep Yadav for India, and Nosthush Kenjige for USA.
Live Match Updates
India are batting first on a good surface at Wankhede. The openers have faced just a few deliveries, with no runs or wickets yet. ESPNcricinfo projects a potential total of 216 for India if they capitalize on the powerplay. USA’s strategy relies on their pace attack, led by Netravalkar and Ali Khan, to exploit any early swing.
The match follows an opening ceremony featuring musician Rishabh Sharma’s energetic performance, adding glamour to the high-stakes encounter.
Match Context and Implications
India, the reigning champions from 2024, are under pressure to deliver a clinical performance in their reset era post-2024. With a new-look side, this game serves as an audition for players like Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, focusing on powerplay aggression and net run rate in Group A.
USA, who stunned in 2024 by reaching the Super 8 (including a victory over Pakistan and competitive showings against India and South Africa), have nothing to lose. They aim to drag India into a grind with tight bowling and sharp fielding.
Wankhede’s conditions under lights favor batting but can punish loose shots, making the first six overs crucial.
Key Players to Watch
For India: Suryakumar Yadav’s explosive captaincy, Hardik Pandya’s all-round prowess, and the pace duo of Arshdeep Singh and Siraj without Bumrah. For USA: Monank Patel’s leadership, Saurabh Netravalkar’s opening spells, and Harmeet Singh’s spin variations.
Public and Media Reactions
Social media is buzzing with the toss result. X users like Manoj Sharma noted, “USA win the toss and elect to bowl first,” while Ammit Kumar asked, “Can India score 250 today?” Doordarshan Sports encouraged, “Champions respond on the field.” Media outlets like Hindustan Times and PTI echoed the updates, with fans predicting a run-fest or upset.
Live coverage is available on Star Sports, Disney+ Hotstar, BBC Radio 5 Live Sports, and apps like ESPNcricinfo. Stay tuned for more updates as the match unfolds in this co-hosted tournament by India and Sri Lanka.