T20 World Cup 2026: ‘Abhishek Sharma can turn the match alone’ - USA’s Milind Kumar lauds No.1 T20I batter

USA cricketer Milind Kumar acknowledged the potential of Indian opener Abhishek Sharma and stated that he will be the key player to watch out for. USA will take on India in their T20 World Cup 2026 opener on February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. USA are placed in Group A alongside India, Pakistan, Namibia, and the Netherlands.

Abhishek is currently the World No.1 T20I batter and has amassed 1,297 runs in 38 matches, including two centuries and eight half-centuries. In the recently concluded five-match T20I series against New Zealand at home, Abhishek finished as the third-highest run-getter, scoring 182 runs and registering two half-centuries.

“Abhishek Sharma will be the key player, and he can turn the match alone,” said Milind as quoted by Asianet News English.

Milind was also part of the USA squad for the previous edition of the T20 World Cup but did not get an opportunity to feature in the 2024 tournament, which was held in the Caribbean and the USA. Before moving to the USA, Milind represented Delhi and Sikkim in India’s premier domestic competition, the Ranji Trophy.

He was also associated with Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, although he did not play a match for either side. Milind finished as the leading run-scorer in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy season. He was part of the Delhi-based franchise in 2014 and later joined RCB for the 2019 season. In 2021, he announced his retirement from Indian cricket and subsequently signed with Minor League Cricket in the USA.

“We are ready for the big match against India, and I am excited to play in front of the Wankhede crowd. I met many former colleagues in the field yesterday and we exchanged many good old memories,” said Milind.

India squad for T20 World Cup 2026:

Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.

USA squad for T20 World Cup 2026:

Monank Patel (captain), Jessy Singh, Andries Gous, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamala, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Mohammad Mohsin, Shubham Ranjane.