India and the USA are gearing up to kick off their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a thrilling clash on Saturday, February 7 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The defending champions, India, secured the T20 World Cup title in the previous edition held in 2924 by defeating South Africa in the final. On the other hand, the USA will be making their second consecutive appearance in the tournament after their participation in the 2024 edition. Although they couldn’t progress beyond the group stage in the previous tournament, the USA impressed with notable victories, including a thrilling win against Pakistan.
As the two teams prepare to lock horns in the T20 World Cup 2026, the spotlight will be on the bowlers who could make a significant impact in the game. Here are three bowlers who could emerge as the top wicket-takers in the upcoming clash:
#3 Saurabh Netravalkar
Saurabh Netravalkar, the left-arm pacer for the USA, was their leading wicket-taker in the 2024 T20 World Cup. With six wickets from as many games at an average of 20.83 and an economy rate of 6.63, Netravalkar showcased his ability to pick up crucial wickets. In the previous encounter against India in 2024, he delivered an exceptional spell, claiming the key wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli with figures of 2/18 from four overs.
#2 Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh played a pivotal role in India’s T20 World Cup victory in 2024, finishing as the joint-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 17 scalps from eight matches. Ahead of the 2026 edition, Arshdeep’s form has been exceptional, with eight wickets from four matches against New Zealand in a recent T20I series. With 41 wickets at an average of 21.56 in T20Is at home, India will rely on Arshdeep to deliver wickets once again.
#1 Varun Chakaravarthy
Mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy will be a crucial asset for India in their quest to defend the T20 World Cup title. Despite a moderate performance in the recent series against New Zealand, Varun has been outstanding in T20Is at home, claiming 33 wickets at an average of 13.06. With 59 wickets in 36 T20Is, Varun’s consistency and ability to pick up wickets will be vital for India’s success in the tournament.
The stage is set for an exciting clash between India and the USA in the T20 World Cup 2026, with these talented bowlers poised to make a significant impact on the outcome of the match. Stay tuned for an action-packed encounter at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
This article was edited by Rishab Vm.
