Mumbai, India – Mohammed Siraj is back in India’s T20I squad, a call-up that surprised some after a long absence. He’s set to play in the T20 World Cup 2026 opener against the USA at Wankhede Stadium. This marks Siraj’s first T20I match since July 2024, ending a 557-day wait for the fast bowler.
Siraj was not expecting to play. He replaced Jasprit Bumrah, who was out with illness. And this came after Harshit Rana also picked up an injury in a warm-up game. India faced a fast bowling shortage, and Siraj got the nod.
Siraj’s Unexpected Comeback Amidst Pace Concerns
It’s been a long time for Siraj. His last T20I was way back in July 2024. That’s a 557-day gap. The team needed a pacer, and he was there. It shows how quickly things change in cricket.
India entered this tournament without two of their frontline fast bowlers. Harshit Rana got injured before the tournament even started. Then Bumrah fell ill right before the opener. So, Siraj stepped in, a crucial moment for him and the team. He’s got a big role now.
India’s Batting Powerhouse and Home Pressure
USA captain Monank Patel won the toss and chose to bowl first. India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, said India would have batted anyway. “We would have batted first,” Suryakumar told reporters after the toss.
India’s batting form has been strong since the last T20 World Cup. They’ve posted three scores of 250+ in T20Is. That’s more than any other team. Their six-hitting power is unmatched among Full Members. Suryakumar Yadav has been in top form, hitting three half-centuries against New Zealand recently.
This team is playing at home, they’re overwhelming favorites. The pressure is on. Suryakumar is in his fourth T20 World Cup now, with 104 T20Is and over 350 T20 matches under his belt.
USA’s Mumbai Connection and Tournament Scene
The USA team has some familiar faces for Mumbai cricket fans. Hrameet Singh, Saurabh Netravalkar, and Shubham Ranjane all have Mumbai roots. Andries Gous is back in the XI after missing the North America T20 Cup final. It adds a bit of local flavor to this international opener.
This match is just one of the openers. Across the globe, Pakistan also started their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. Pakistan chose to bowl first against Netherlands at SSC, Colombo, as ESPN reported. The tournament is just getting started, and India’s opener at Wankhede sets a big stage.
India made a few other choices for this game. Ishan Kishan got the nod over Sanju Samson for wicketkeeper-batsman. Varun Chakravarthy is the sole mystery spinner, with Kuldeep Yadav omitted. It shows the team management is looking at various options early on.
India aims for a strong start to their title defense. Siraj’s unexpected inclusion might just be what they need. And we’ll see how he performs after this long break. It’s a big opportunity for him.
Soureesh Datta 
Sagnik Banerjee