Today, February 2, 2026, marks the official start of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up fixtures, serving as the final testing ground for 20 nations before the main event begins on February 7. This phase of the tournament allows teams to experiment with their tactical combinations and adapt to the subcontinental conditions in India and Sri Lanka. One of the most anticipated matchups of the day features the India A side taking on the USA at DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, a team that has rapidly gained a reputation as a dangerous giant-killer on the global stage.
India A: The return of Tilak Varma and IPL firepower
Led by the young and dynamic Ayush Badoni, the India A squad for today’s match is packed with talent looking to secure their place in the tournament’s narrative. The biggest headline is the return of Tilak Varma, who has been cleared to play after undergoing abdominal surgery and missing the recent series against New Zealand; he is expected to use this game as a crucial fitness test before India’s official opener.
Joining him is a formidable middle order featuring Riyan Parag, fresh off a shoulder injury recovery, and the explosive Ashutosh Sharma, both of whom are eager to replicate their IPL dominance. On the bowling front, the sheer pace of Mayank Yadav and the tactical spin of Ravi Bishnoi will be the primary weapons as India A looks to stifle the American scoring rate. The squad also includes emerging stars like Priyansh Arya and Naman Dhir, ensuring that the depth of Indian cricket is on full display at the DY Patil Stadium.
Squad
- Ayush Badoni (C)
- Ashok Sharma
- Naman Dhir
- Ashutosh Sharma
- Priyansh Arya
- N. Jagadeesan (WK)
- Tilak Varma
- Riyan Parag
- Manav Suthar
- Urvil Patel (WK)
- Gurjapneet Singh
- Vipraj Nigam
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Mayank Yadav
Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches: Here’s the complete schedule
USA: The giant killers under Monank Patel
The USA national team, captained by Monank Patel, enters this warm-up fixture with the confidence of their historic performances in the previous World Cup edition. Key players such as the veteran left-arm pacer Saurabh Netravalkar and the lethal Ali Khan will lead the bowling attack, aiming to exploit the local conditions they have become familiar with through their professional stints.
The American batting lineup features the experienced Andries Gous and the aggressive Shayan Jahangir, both of whom are essential to the team’s strategy of building high-scoring totals. This match serves as a critical opportunity for the USA to test their new tactical maneuvers against a high-quality ‘A’ side before they face the senior Indian team in their Group C encounter later this month.
Squad:
Monank Patel (C), Jessy Singh, Andries Gous, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamala, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Mohammad Mohsin, Shubham Ranjane.
India A vs USA: Broadcast and Live streaming information for Today’s T20 World Cup warm-up match
The India A vs. USA match is being streamed live and exclusively in India through JioHotstar, which serves as the primary digital destination for the entire T20 World Cup 2026. Fans can access the live coverage starting at 5:00 PM IST via the JioHotstar app on mobile devices or through their official website on desktops and smart TVs. The platform has optimized its streaming experience to handle the massive surge in viewership expected for the tournament, offering multi-language commentary and high-definition feeds for all selected warm-up matches involving the host nation.
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