Jayasuriya makes USA World Cup squad after late disruption

USA have announced their 15-man squad for the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, becoming the final team among the 20 participants to confirm their roster.

The selection followed a late development on Wednesday, when former USA captain Aaron Jones was charged with multiple counts relating to fixing and provisionally suspended. Jones, widely regarded as a certainty for the squad, was ruled out of World Cup contention. His omission created an opening for former Sri Lanka international Shehan Jayasuriya, who returns to international cricket with USA.

Jayasuriya's inclusion marks a notable development. The 34-year-old allrounder was undrafted for the 2025 Major League Cricket season. He is now in line to feature in USA's group-stage match against Pakistan in Colombo, which would see him play an international fixture in his country of birth.

Jayasuriya is among several new inclusions. Selectors have handed a maiden call-up to Mohammad Mohsin, a 29-year-old leg-spinning allrounder who previously represented Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League. Former Mumbai and Maharashtra allrounder Shubham Ranjane has also been included.

There was no place in the squad for former India Under-19 captain Unmukt Chand, despite consistent performances in Major League Cricket. The selection appears to reflect a focus on integrating younger players. That approach is led by Sai Mukkamalla, who has been among USA's most productive batters since his debut, emerging as the team's leading T20I run-scorer with an average of 42 and a strike rate exceeding 150. He is joined by 22-year-old Sanjay Krishnamurthy.

One of the more notable omissions is fast bowler Rushil Ugarkar. The MI New York pacer was the standout performer of the 2025 Major League Cricket season, earning the Most Valuable Player and Best Under-23 Player awards. He played a key role in MI New York's title-winning campaign and later took a five-wicket haul against UAE in an ODI. His exclusion is among the more surprising selection calls.

Despite the changes, captain Monank Patel continues to lead a core group that featured prominently during USA's run at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Vice-captain Jessy Singh, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Milind Kumar, Andries Gous and Harmeet Singh provide continuity.

USA have been placed in Group A, alongside India, Pakistan, Netherlands and Namibia. They begin their campaign against co-hosts India in Mumbai on February 7, before facing Pakistan in Colombo on February 10. Their remaining group fixtures are against Netherlands on February 13 and Namibia on February 15 in Chennai.

USA Squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup: Monank Patel (capt), Jasdeep Singh, Andries Gous, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Sanjay Krishnamurthy, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Mohammad Mohsin, Shubham Ranjane