Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, a renowned Indian sitar prodigy and music producer, is currently mesmerizing the crowd with his amazing talent. Meanwhile, famous Indian percussionist Sivamani is also there in action.

The opening ceremony of the T20 World Cup 2026 is currently underway at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The scheduled time for the toss is 6:30 PM, which is likely to be delayed. We continue to wait for an official confirmation!

India have not lost a single T20I series or tournament since their T20 World Cup 2024 title victory. They have 

- defeated Sri Lanka 3-0

- defeated Bangladesh 3-0

- defeated South Africa 3-1

- defeated England 4-1

- won T20 Asia Cup

- defeated Australia 2-1

- defeated South Africa 3-1

- defeated New Zealand 4-1

"There seems no weakness there (in the team). It really takes something special from another team to dethrone India," legendary player and former India captain Sunil Gavaskar told host broadcaster ahead of the India vs USA game.

India have defeated Australia, South Africa and New Zealand in the last three T20I series that they have played. Suryakumar Yadav and Co. beat Australia 2-1, before outplaying the Proteas 3-1 and the Black Caps 4-1.

In all likelihood, Ishan Kishan is set to open the batting for India, replacing Sanju Samson. Meanwhile, Tilak Varma is fit and back in action. Both Kishan and Tilak shone in the warm-up game.

Pakistan (148/7 in 19.3 overs) escaped with a three-wicket win against the Netherlands (147) in the opening game of the T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo earlier today. In the second game, West Indies posted 182 for 5 in Kolkata against Scotland, who are 61 for 3 at the end of 9 overs.

A couple of days ago, Mohammed Siraj was not even in India's T20 World Cup 2026 squad. But following a tournament-ending injury to Harshit Rana and then pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah suffering from fever, Siraj could be in line to PLAY India's first Group A game against USA today.

Ishan Kishan made an unprecedented comeback into the Indian T20I squad for the T20 World Cup, initially being picked as a like-for-like back-up for Sanju Samson. However, Tilak Varma's injury saw him step into the playing XI for the New Zealand series, and the rest is history. Kishan made an incredible impression, even smashing a century, as Samson paid for his poor form and lost his spot.

Now, Kishan is all but guaranteed to open for India. The onus is on the left-hander to shine on the global stage.

Harshit Rana, India’s bowling all-rounder, is out of the tournament due to an injury. He struggled during the team's warm-up match against South Africa and was later replaced by Mohammed Siraj in the 15-member squad.

India Squad: Ishan Kishan(w), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar.

United States of America Squad: Monank Patel(c), Andries Gous(w), Saiteja Mukkamalla, Shayan Jahangir, Milind Kumar, Shubham Ranjane, Harmeet Singh, Mohammad Mohsin, Ali Khan, Nosthush Kenjige, Saurabh Netravalkar, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Shehan Jayasuriya, Jasdeep Singh, Sanjay Krishnamurthi.

India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is doubtful for this game after feeling slightly under the weather and skipping the training session the previous evening. With this match expected to be a one-sided affair, the Indian team management is in no mood to take any risk with its most important fast bowler at the very start of a long campaign, said a PTI report.

Bumrah, central to India's white-ball plans, did not bowl at the nets on Friday, prompting speculation that he could be rested purely as a precautionary measure. He was running a bit of temperature.

There are multiple records that India will aim for during the tournament. They would like to become the first-ever team to defend a T20 World Cup title, the first country to have three titles to its name and the first side to win the coveted trophy as hosts. (Note: This edition is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.)

Hello everyone, welcome to this space! The Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian cricket team begins its title defence tonight with a match against the United States of America at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. Stay connected for the live score and updates related to the game.