USA (Source: AFP)
In a significant development, the USA's squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 has been leaked (according to reports), as there is no official announcement of the team as of now. An 18-man squad has been picked to tour Sri Lanka next week for a five-match T20 series against Sri Lanka A.
According to senior journalist Peter Della Penna, this squad is expected to be the same for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026.
In a recent development, USA cricket has also appointed former Sri Lankan fast bowler Dhammika Prasad as the fast bowling and assistant coach. He will join the coaching staff in Sri Lanka alongside head coach Pubudu Dassanayake.
Monank Patel to lead USA in T20 WC 2026
Talking about the USA squad for the marquee tournament, they have included the former Sri Lankan international batter, Shehan Jayasuriya.
It is important to mention that Jayasuriya was not part of any MLC squad in 2025, but has been included by the USA head coach, Pubudu Dassanayake.
Monank Patel is expected to lead the team along with Jessy Singh as his deputy. Legspinner Mohammad Mohsin and former Pakistan international Ehsan Adil are expected to make their USA debuts.
Some familiar names have been left out of the squad, including Yasir Mohammad and Juanoy Drysdale. Additionally, all-rounder Ian Holland has also not been excluded from the squad.
It is vital to note that, according to the same report, the squad was selected entirely by coach Dassanayake and captain Monank Patel, without involvement from the five-member USA selection panel.
USA included in a tough World Cup group
The USA, which qualified for the T20 World Cup 2026 after reaching the super-eight stage in the 2024 edition at home, has been placed in a challenging Group A. They will face the defending champions India, as well as Pakistan, Namibia, and the Netherlands.
The USA will begin its World Cup campaign against hosts India on the opening day (February 7, 2026). They will next face Pakistan on February 10 in their second match. Following that, they will face the Netherlands in the tournament's 21st fixture and Namibia on February 15.
The 2026 T20 World Cup will be the second edition to feature 20 teams. The 2024 tournament was the first to include 20 teams divided into four groups of five.
USA's leaked squad for T20 World Cup 2026
Monank Patel (captain), Jessy Singh (vice-captain), Ehsan Adil, Andries Gous, Shayan Jahangir, Shehan Jayasuriya, Aaron Jones, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Milind Kumar, Mohammad Mohsin, Sai Mukkamalla, Saurabh Netravalkar, Shubham Ranjane, Harmeet Singh, Rushil Ugarkar, Shadley van Schalkwyk
