MUMBAI — The 2026 T20 World Cup kicked off with a high-stakes opening encounter at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, February 7, where defending champions India managed to stave off a spirited challenge from Team USA. While the scoreboard registered a 29-run win for the hosts, the narrow margin of victory underscored the rapid evolution of American cricket.
The performance did not go unnoticed across the Atlantic. President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to acknowledge the tournament’s start and throw his weight behind the American squad.
1. Presidential Support: “America is Rooting for You!”
In a rare nod to the sport from the Oval Office, President Trump signaled that cricket’s growth in the U.S. has reached the highest levels of government.
- The Message: Writing on his account, Trump stated: “I just heard the Cricket World Cup is underway in India! I wish the best of luck to TEAM USA! We have a very strong team. America is rooting for you!”
- The Diplomatic Link: The post was promptly reshared by Sergio Gor, the U.S. Ambassador to India, who was seated in the Vyakhyanmala-tier at Wankhede watching the match live. Gor replied with a succinct: “Thank you Mr. President.”
2. Match Summary: India vs. USA (Wankhede)
India began their title defense under significant pressure as the US bowlers utilized the evening swing in Mumbai to perfection.
| Metric | India | USA |
| Final Score | 174/6 (20 Overs) | 145/8 (20 Overs) |
| Top Scorer | Suryakumar Yadav (52 off 34) | Monank Patel (41 off 31) |
| Key Bowler | Jasprit Bumrah (3/19) | Saurabh Netravalkar (2/26) |
| Result | India won by 29 runs | USA’s narrowest loss to India |
3. The Road Ahead: Can USA Repeat the 2024 Miracle?
The US team now heads to Colombo, Sri Lanka, for their next group stage fixture against Pakistan. This matchup carries immense historical weight following the 2024 “Super Over” upset in Dallas.
- Group A Standings: USA is currently in a group featuring India, Pakistan, the Netherlands, and Namibia.
- The “Giant Killer” Tag: With a solid showing against India, the US is favored to challenge the Netherlands and Namibia for a spot in the Super 8s.
- Infrastructure Growth: Experts suggest that the rise of Major League Cricket (MLC) has provided the US national team with the high-pressure experience needed to compete on stages like the Wankhede.