New Delh: The T20 World Cup gets underway today with defending champions India beginning their title defence against United States at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. No team has so far managed to successfully defend a T20 World Cup title, adding extra significance to India’s campaign opener.
India enter the tournament as reigning world champions, but their first challenge comes from a USA side that surprised many in the previous edition. In that match, the American team put the Rohit Sharma–Virat Kohli-led India under pressure, delivering one of the tournament’s biggest upsets in terms of competitiveness.
The USA squad has a strong overseas influence, with only four players born in the country and the rest coming from different cricket-playing nations. Their key weapon could once again be left-arm pacer Saurabh Netravalkar, who will be familiar to Indian fans. At the Wankhede pitch, Netravalkar poses a major threat to India’s top order, having dismissed both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli inside the powerplay in their previous World Cup clash.
As India look to overcome history and defend their crown, the opening clash against the USA promises an early test of their form and resolve in the tournament.
