07 February,2026 08:54 AM IST | Mumbai | R Kaushik
Indian players during a training session at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday. PICS/ATUL KAMBLE
There is a certain charm to India beginning their quest for another home World Cup crown at the same venue where they won their first and only global title in their backyard, nearly a decade and a half back.
The iconic Wankhede Stadium has seen numerous stirring battles in its 51-year existence, none more famous and celebrated than India's six-wicket conquest of Sri Lanka in the final of the 50-over World Cup on April 2, 2011. It's at the Wankhede that the hosts will kick off their immediate challenge in the T20 World Cup against United States of America on Saturday, under a local lad who has firmly established himself as a wonderful leader of men.
USA players celebrate a wicket during their warm-up match vs NZ at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Thursday. Pic/USA Cricket
Suryakumar Yadav has been tasked with the responsibility - as he sees it, where some others might consider it a burden - of carrying forward the legacy set by his fellow Mumbaikar, Rohit Sharma. Some 19 months back, Rohit masterminded a fabulous run that culminated in World Cup glory in Bridgetown. The 35-year-old Suryakumar is a terrific student of cricketing history and will be acutely aware of how he can storm the pantheon if he can steer his ship to the Promised Land in four weeks' time.
USA, led by Monank Patel and packing numerous players in the 30-plus age bracket, can be pesky challengers whose run-in to the tournament has been exciting without being fruitful. Replete with expats, mainly from India, they have nothing to lose and will give it their best shot while being acutely understanding of the massive gulf between the sides. India are the No. 1 side in the globe while the Americans are ranked a modest 18th; even if this is one format where rankings count for little, it's hard to see David slaying Goliath in front of what is expected to be a heaving, throbbing mass.
India will not be lulled into using this outing as preparation for the potentially stiffer battles ahead because nothing can be a more disastrous approach. In any case, they have warmed up superbly with commanding series victories at home against South Africa and New Zealand in the last couple of months, and have ticked almost every box that needs to be.
