The excitement is building as India prepare to begin their campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at one of their strongest venues – the iconic Wankhede Stadium. The Group-stage clash against United States National Cricket Team is expected to be a high-scoring contest, as the Mumbai surface traditionally favors aggressive batting.
Wankhede has witnessed several memorable T20 Internationals, and India will look to use home conditions, short boundaries, and crowd support to make a strong start in the tournament.
Match Details IND vs USA, T20 World Cup 2026
| Match | India vs USA – Group Match |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Date | 7 February 2026 |
| Venue | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| Match Time | Evening (D/N) |
| Importance | India’s opening match of the tournament |
India will aim for a confident win to build early momentum, while USA will look to challenge with fearless cricket.
India Overall T20I Record at Wankhede Stadium
Wankhede has hosted a limited number of T20Is, but the matches here have mostly been high-scoring thrillers. India have enjoyed decent success at this venue.
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 9 |
| India Wins | 4 |
| Opposition Wins | 2 |
| Neutral Matches Won | 3 |
| Win Batting First | 4 |
| Win While Chasing | 5 |
| Toss Win Impact | 6 wins after winning toss |
| No Result/Tie | 0 |
The numbers show that chasing has been slightly easier, mainly due to dew in the second innings.
Key T20I Records at Wankhede
The venue has produced some historic performances, especially in recent years.
| Record | Details |
|---|---|
| Highest Individual Score | 135 – Abhishek Sharma vs England (2025) |
| Best Bowling Figures | 4/22 – Shivam Mavi vs Sri Lanka (2023) |
| Highest Team Total | India 247/9 vs England (2025) |
| Lowest Team Total | England 97 vs India (2025) |
| Highest Successful Chase | 230/8 (England vs South Africa, 2016) |
| Average Runs per Over | 9.5 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | Around 195–200 |
These numbers clearly reflect Wankhede’s reputation as a batting-friendly ground.
Also see: BCCI Central Contract 2026 List: Rohit & Virat Demoted, Shubman Gill Promoted
Pitch Report Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
The pitch at Wankhede is known for true bounce and a fast outfield, allowing batters to play attacking shots from the start. Pacers may get slight movement early, but once the ball gets older, batting becomes easier.
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Flat and batting-friendly |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 190–200 |
| Boundary Size | Short |
| Dew Factor | High in evening games |
| Best Toss Decision | Bowl first |
Teams often prefer chasing here because dew makes bowling difficult in the second innings.
India Performance Highlights at Wankhede
India have produced some strong batting displays at this venue. They have crossed the 200-run mark multiple times, showing their comfort on the surface.
Recent highlights include:
- Abhishek Sharma’s record-breaking 135, the highest individual T20I score for India.
- India’s massive 247/9, one of their highest T20I totals at home.
- Effective middle-overs bowling performances from spinners like Kuldeep Yadav.
- Strong finishing ability from power-hitters in the death overs.
With players like Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, and Abhishek Sharma, India have the firepower suited for Mumbai conditions.
The venue batting-friendly nature makes it perfect for high-scoring matches and strong net run rate gains. For India, a big win here could set the tone for the rest of the tournament and boost confidence early in the competition.
