Monank Patel Set to Captain USA Against India in T20 World Cup 2026
Indian-origin Monank Patel captains USA's 15-man squad featuring 10 returnees for the T20 World Cup 2026, opening against India in Mumbai.
The United States on Friday announced its squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, naming Indian-origin batter Monank Patel as captain for the global tournament set to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7. The selection marks continuity for the American side, with a strong core of players retained from the previous edition.
As many as 10 of the 15 players who featured in the last T20 World Cup in the Americas have been included in the new squad, underlining the team management’s faith in experience and stability. Patel, a key figure in USA cricket in recent years, will lead the side as it prepares for its most high-profile challenge yet on the world stage.
The USA will begin its campaign against co-hosts and defending champions India in the tournament opener in Mumbai, a fixture that is expected to draw significant attention given the contrasting cricketing histories of the two sides. The match will also be a major moment for Patel, who will captain his team against the country of his origin on one of cricket’s biggest platforms.
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The squad announcement comes against the backdrop of administrative uncertainty for USA Cricket. The International Cricket Council had suspended USA Cricket on September 23 last year due to what it described as serious breaches of the ICC Membership Criteria, raising questions about governance and long-term stability within the organization.
Despite those challenges, the ICC has allowed the national team to continue participating in international competitions, including the T20 World Cup. For the players, the focus now shifts firmly to performance, preparation, and making an impact against established cricketing nations.
With a blend of retained experience and leadership continuity under Patel, the USA will aim to build on its recent progress and compete strongly in the tournament. The 2026 T20 World Cup presents an opportunity for American cricket to assert itself on the global stage amid both sporting ambition and off-field scrutiny.
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