The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 continues with an exciting Match 3 clash as tournament favorites India face the emerging United States of America at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Friday evening.
This fixture marks India’s opening game of the tournament, while USA look to test themselves against one of the strongest T20 sides in the world. With Mumbai known for high-scoring thrillers, fantasy cricket fans can expect plenty of action.
IND vs USA Match Details
| Match | India vs USA, Match 3 |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Date | 7 February 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| Live Telecast | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar |
India vs USA Head-to-Head Record
India and USA have crossed paths only once in T20 internationals, with India registering a comfortable victory.
| Matches Played | India Wins | USA Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 |
Last Encounter Snapshot
- India: Suryakumar Yadav (50), Shivam Dube (31), Arshdeep Singh (4 wickets), Hardik Pandya (2 wickets)
- USA: Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan (1 wicket each)
Several players from that match are expected to feature again, making historical form relevant for Dream11 users.
Wankhede Stadium Pitch Report
The Wankhede surface is among the best batting tracks in India, but it also offers early assistance to fast bowlers under lights.
- Pitch Nature: Flat pitch with good bounce
- Pace vs Spin: Pacers dominate early; spinners play a supporting role
- Average 1st Innings Score: 170–200
- Highest T20 Score: 240/9 (India)
- Chasing Trend: Teams chasing have won 5 of the last 9 T20s here
Verdict: If India bat first, a big total is on the cards. USA batting first may find run-scoring tougher against India’s pace attack.
India vs USA Probable Playing XI
India
- Abhishek Sharma
- Ishan Kishan (WK)
- Tilak Varma
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Shivam Dube
- Hardik Pandya
- Axar Patel
- Arshdeep Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Mohammed Siraj / Kuldeep Yadav
USA
- Sai Teja
- Andries Gous (WK)
- Monank Patel (C)
- Shubham Ranjane
- Harmeet Singh
- Jasdeep Singh
- Saurabh Netravalkar
- Ali Khan
- Corey Anderson
- Steven Taylor
- Kyle Phillip
Dream11 Fantasy Preview: Best Picks & Team Combination
With a batting-friendly venue, top-order Indian batters and strike bowlers should be prioritized.
Must-Have Fantasy Players
- Abhishek Sharma: Explosive opener, strong captaincy option
- Ishan Kishan: Red-hot form, consistent fantasy returns
- Suryakumar Yadav: Big-match player, excellent record vs USA
- Axar Patel: Reliable all-round points with bat and ball
- Arshdeep Singh: Proven wicket-taker, especially in powerplay
IND vs USA Dream11 Team
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Wicketkeeper | Ishan Kishan |
| Batters | Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma |
| All-rounders | Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Shubham Ranjane |
| Bowlers | Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Saurabh Netravalkar |
Captain Choices: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan
Vice-Captain Choices: Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav
Grand League Picks: Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya.
Key Match Analysis
India enter the contest with:
- Superior batting depth
- World-class pace attack
- Strong recent form (4 wins in last 5 matches)
USA have also won 4 of their last 5 games, but the step-up in opposition is significant. Their hopes rest heavily on Netravalkar’s swing, Ali Khan’s pace, and a solid start from the top order.
IND vs USA Match Prediction
While USA have shown impressive growth in international cricket, India’s quality and experience should prevail comfortably in Mumbai conditions.
Predicted Winner: India
Winning Probability: 90%
India are expected to begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding performance, though USA will aim to gain valuable experience on the global stage.
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