USA Cricket Team Schedule: USA Announce Squad for T20 World Cup 2026, Monank Patel to Captain Historic Campaign

📝 Last updated on: February 11, 2026 2:32 am
USA Cricket Team Schedule

USA Cricket Team Schedule: The United States of America have officially announced their 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, marking another significant milestone in the nation’s rapid rise on the global cricket stage. With the tournament set to be hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka, the USA cricket team will once again be led by experienced captain Monank Patel, who guided the side during their breakthrough campaign in the 2024 edition.

The announcement has generated strong interest among cricket fans worldwide, especially following the release of the USA cricket team schedule for the group stage of the tournament. Having secured direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, USA enter the competition with confidence, continuity, and a squad that blends proven performers with exciting new talent.

USA’s Journey to T20 World Cup 2026

This will be the second appearance for the USA in an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Their maiden campaign in 2024 exceeded expectations, as they progressed to the Super 8 stage and recorded a historic victory over Pakistan — one of the most talked-about moments of the tournament.

That impressive run played a crucial role in earning the USA direct qualification for the 2026 edition, eliminating the need to go through the qualifying rounds. It also confirmed the team’s growing reputation as a competitive force in international T20 cricket.

Monank Patel Retains Captaincy

Monank Patel has been retained as captain, a decision that reflects the management’s trust in his leadership and experience. Patel has been instrumental in shaping the USA team’s identity, both as a dependable top-order batter and as a calm leader under pressure.

Alongside Patel, 10 players from the 2024 World Cup squad have been retained, ensuring stability and continuity heading into another major ICC event.

Core Group Brings Experience and Balance

Several familiar names return for the 2026 tournament, including:

  • Jessy Singh
  • Andries Gous
  • Milind Kumar
  • Shayan Jahangir
  • Harmeet Singh
  • Nosthush Kenjige
  • Shadley Van Schalkwyk
  • Saurabh Netravalkar
  • Ali Khan

The presence of Harmeet Singh, Milind Kumar, and Saurabh Netravalkar, all of whom have played age-group or state-level cricket in India, could prove especially valuable given the subcontinental conditions.

Key Performers from 2024 Return

Wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous was one of USA’s standout performers in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He finished as the team’s leading run-scorer, amassing 219 runs in six innings at an impressive average of 43.80, including two half-centuries. His strike rate of over 151 underlined his ability to dominate bowling attacks at the international level.

On the bowling front, left-arm pacer Saurabh Netravalkar led the USA attack with distinction. He claimed six wickets during the tournament at an average of 20.83, topping the wicket-taking charts for the team and delivering key breakthroughs in crucial matches.

Fresh Faces and Potential Debuts

The 2026 squad also features players who could make their T20I debuts on the biggest stage. Shubham Ranjane, Mohammad Mohsin, and Shehan Jayasuriya are all in line to earn their first international caps in the shortest format.

Pune-born Shubham Ranjane has already represented the USA in four ODIs and arrives with valuable franchise experience. He recently featured for the Johannesburg Super Kings in South Africa’s SA20 league, scoring 101 runs in five innings, including a half-century, showcasing his adaptability in high-pressure environments.

Group A Challenge Awaits USA

As per the official USA cricket team schedule, the Americans have been placed in Group A, alongside some formidable opponents. The group includes India, Pakistan, the Netherlands, and Namibia, making it one of the most competitive pools of the tournament.

USA will open their campaign against hosts India, a fixture that is expected to attract massive global attention.

USA Cricket Team Schedule – T20 World Cup 2026 Group Matches

DateMatchVenue
February 7India vs USAMumbai
February 10Pakistan vs USAColombo
February 13Netherlands vs USAChennai
February 15Namibia vs USAChennai

The opening match against India in Mumbai will be a stern test, followed by a high-voltage encounter against Pakistan in Colombo. The final two group matches in Chennai against the Netherlands and Namibia could prove decisive in determining USA’s chances of advancing further in the tournament.

Full USA Squad for T20 World Cup 2026

PlayerRole
Monank Patel (C)Batter
Jessy SinghBatter
Andries GousWicketkeeper-Batter
Shehan JayasuriyaAll-rounder
Milind KumarBatter
Shayan JahangirBatter
Saiteja MukkamalaBatter
Sanjay KrishnamurthiBatter
Harmeet SinghAll-rounder
Nosthush KenjigeSpinner
Shadley Van SchalkwykAll-rounder
Saurabh NetravalkarFast Bowler
Ali KhanFast Bowler
Mohammad MohsinAll-rounder
Shubham RanjaneAll-rounder

Read also: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule: Full Details, Venues, and Key Fixtures

USA Aim to Build on 2024 Success

With a settled core, experienced leadership, and exposure to high-quality cricket across leagues and international tournaments, the USA enter the T20 World Cup 2026 with realistic ambitions. While qualification from Group A will be challenging, the team’s recent performances suggest they are capable of competing with established cricketing nations.

As excitement builds ahead of the tournament, fans and analysts alike will be closely tracking the USA cricket team schedule, squad combinations, and on-field performances. For American cricket, the 2026 T20 World Cup represents another crucial step in its journey toward global recognition and sustained success.