The New York Times is writing about it, Drake is profiting from it, and baseball fans are reacting to it. Look out, America—cricket is beginning to take over.
India is at the forefront of this charm offensive, eager to tap into a market that could further bolster their already considerable resources. Indian Premier League (IPL) teams already have a stake in American cricket, owning three of the six franchises in the country’s premier T20 competition.
When the LA Olympics organizing committee announced that cricket would be included in the 2028 Games, they cited Virat Kohli and his substantial social media following as part of their rationale. Recently, the BCCI secretary even visited the NFL offices.
It seems that local interest in cricket is becoming more of a bonus than a necessity. The USA is a fertile market thanks to its rich and diverse diaspora, many of whom have been flocking to the pop-up stadium in Long Island, creating an atmosphere that could rival even the more established cricket centers.
India vs USA: Match Preview
In Dallas, the Nepal team felt so overwhelmed by the support that they took a lap of honor around the ground. The India-Pakistan match drew crowds in two locations, with Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, hosting a watch party. On Monday morning, nearly 23,000 spectators gathered to watch the Bangladesh-South Africa game.
Exciting finishes and surprising upsets have left the public eager for more, with the USA team contributing to the tournament’s excitement. Aaron Jones showcased skill and flair by hitting sixes effortlessly and celebrating each one. The USA team then stunned Pakistan, and now they are setting their sights on India.
The USA team has been on a high in the World Cup with two victories in two matches, living up to their pre-tournament claims of overcoming any opposition. “We are hungry, and are going to try to eat whoever comes in our way. I am sure the USA will cause some upsets in the World Cup,” US player Ali Khan famously said before the tournament began. They backed up his words by defeating Pakistan. However, they might face a serious reality check on Wednesday.
Their next challenge is India, a formidable opponent. While upsets in Twenty20 are common, this Indian team seems nearly invincible. On Wednesday, they aim to finish the New York leg of the World Cup undefeated. The US team, which has never faced India in any format, will compete against a side packed with IPL and T20 veterans.
More than the challenges posed by Monank Patel and his team, India needs to address a few issues as they prepare for the tougher phase of the competition. One concern is Ravindra Jadeja’s finishing abilities. A strong performance from him, particularly against the hosts, could be pivotal. India will need Jadeja to be at his best all-round form for the latter stages of the World Cup.
Hardik Pandya has been consistently effective with his bowling and has proven to be a reliable ally for Rohit. However, his performance with the bat against Pakistan, despite his reputation for excelling under intense pressure, fell short of expectations. A strong batting display from him is essential to regain his confidence.
Shivam Dube faced unfamiliar pressure against Pakistan on Sunday, which was evident in his performance. It is crucial for the all-rounder to quickly adapt and learn from this experience. India will rely on his left-handed batting skills and six-hitting abilities to counter opponents like Adam Zampa in the upcoming matches.
Virat Kohli’s recent lack of form may not be a significant concern. Given his quality, a substantial innings from him could be imminent, possibly on Wednesday. His partnership with Rohit Sharma at the top of the order is set to continue, likely keeping Yashasvi Jaiswal on the bench.
The fact that a talented player like Jaiswal isn’t in the playing XI highlights the depth and strength of this Indian team. It would take an extraordinary effort for the USA to replicate their surprise victory over Pakistan against a team of India’s caliber. However, T20 games can be unpredictable.
While a fairytale ending for the USA in this game is unlikely, the fact that they enter it undefeated with two wins and a chance to progress to the Super Eights is a dream come true. As Saurabh Netravalkar’s Slack profile suggests, their journey isn’t ending anytime soon.
India vs USA: Form Guide
India: WWWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
USA: WWLWW
India vs USA: Pitch Conditions
If India bats first, a healthy total of over 160 is a strong possibility with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and other Indian batters looking for runs. This match will also test the USA team as they face a formidable opponent.
The New York surface has settled, so the erratic bounce seen earlier in the competition seems to be a thing of the past. Although the weather is unlikely to disrupt the game, it may still be low-scoring. However, with the drop-in pitches here in New York, many more runs than scored so far could be in the cards.
India vs USA: Head-to-head
0-0. India and the USA have never encountered each other in Twenty20 Internationals, or in any other format, for that matter.
India vs USA: Team News
India
All players are available for selection. It’s unlikely that there will be any changes to the side that faced Pakistan, although there may be temptation to bring in wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Shivam Dube’s position could be vulnerable, but this Indian team is known for giving players a fair chance.
They are likely to stick with the same four-man pace attack, which is a logical choice considering the pitch conditions. The left-right batting combination was abandoned during the Pakistan game, with Axar Patel sent ahead of regular batsmen like Suryakumar Yadav. Such changes in the batting order are unlikely against the USA. Rishabh Pant has been in good form in this World Cup, with scores of 36 not out and 42, and is expected to continue batting at No. 3.
India’s Predicted XI:
- Rohit Sharma (Capt.)
- Virat Kohli
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Shivam Dube
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel
- Arshdeep Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
USA
The hosts may feel pressured to alter their winning bowling combination from the previous match against Pakistan. The Indian lineup includes four left-handers in the middle and lower order, who were deployed flexibly by the team management. If USA adheres to the T20 match strategy, this might lead to Nostush Kenjige being omitted from the XI despite his match-winning three-wicket haul in the last game. However, the challenging nature of the pitch, where batsmen have struggled to hit through the line, might encourage USA to stick with their current lineup.
Corey Anderson has had minimal involvement with the bat in this tournament. The star all-rounder for USA, who faced only two deliveries and remained unbeaten on the opening night, curiously remained on the bench during a tense chase that nearly ended in defeat for the US team. Surprisingly, he was also deemed unnecessary during the Super Over. Despite being their most potent and experienced hitter, Anderson’s exclusion was puzzling. The presence of spinners Patel and Jadeja in the Indian attack should prompt Anderson to make a significant impact in what is considered the most important game in USA cricket history. The USA will require his strength and experience to compete against a formidable opponent.
USA’s Predicted XI
- Steven Taylor
- Monank Patel (c & wk)
- Andries Gous
- Aaron Jones
- Nitish Kumar
- Corey Anderson
- Harmeet Singh
- Jasdeep Singh
- Nosthush Kenjige
- Saurabh Netravalkar
- Ali Khan
India vs USA: Players Under Spotlight
India- Shivam Dube
India tends to stick with their plans unless absolutely necessary. Within the dressing room, there will be plenty of support for Shivam Dube, despite his recent struggles, having scored no more than 21 in his last seven innings, which include four single-digit scores and back-to-back ducks. New York may not be the ideal place for his skills as a spin-hitter, primarily because teams aren’t bowling much spin there. However, when India moves to the West Indies, they will need his abilities and hope he is in good form or at least in a positive mindset.
USA- Corey Anderson
Corey Anderson once seemed destined to be the next big thing in cricket. As the world welcomed the New Year in 2014, he hit a 36-ball century for New Zealand. Is he still that same destructive force? Although he hasn’t played internationally since November 2018, he has been sought after by franchises in the CPL, BBL, PSL, and ILT20. This is a testament to his talent, which he may still unleash at this World Cup.
Where To Watch The T20 World Cup Live in India? Streaming Details
Cricket enthusiasts can catch the live action of the T20 World Cup 2024 matches via free live streaming on Disney+ Hotstar on mobile devices in India. Additionally, the T20 WC cricket matches will be broadcasted live on Star Sports and DD Sports TV channels across the country.
