US Ambassador Sergio Gor expressed optimism about cricket’s growth in the United States after attending the India vs USA ICC T20 World Cup 2026 match at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Saturday. He thanked the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its chairman Jay Shah for hosting an “incredible evening of cricket” and noted that the sport has a promising future in the US, including prospects for the 2028 Olympics.
On social media, Ambassador Gor highlighted the rapid expansion of cricket in the United States, emphasizing the contributions of world-class infrastructure, emerging star talent, and passionate fans. During the match, he met with ICC Chairman Jay Shah to discuss strategies for further promoting cricket in the US. Gor also shared a photograph with the United States cricket team and Jay Shah, expressing pride in the American players’ performance and the excitement of the game.
The match itself marked India’s first win of the tournament, as Suryakumar Yadav led the Men in Blue to a 29-run victory over Monank Patel’s USA team. Batting first, India posted 161/9 in 20 overs, with Yadav scoring an unbeaten 84 off 49 balls, including 10 fours and four sixes. Contributions also came from Ishan Kishan (20 off 16 balls) and Tilak Varma (25 off 16 balls), adding momentum to India’s total.
For the USA, Shadley van Schalkwyk (4/29) and Harmeet Singh (2/26) were the main wicket-takers. In reply, the American team managed 132/8, with notable performances from Milind Kumar (34 off 34 balls), Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37 off 31 balls), and Shubham Ranjane (37 off 22 balls). India’s bowlers Mohammed Siraj (3/29), Axar Patel (2/24), and Arshdeep Singh (2/18) played crucial roles in restricting the USA’s innings.
On the sidelines of the match, Ambassador Gor also met Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and Reliance Foundation founder-chairperson Nita Ambani, underscoring the growing connections between cricket, business, and international relations. The event showcased the sport’s expanding global appeal and reinforced cricket’s potential as a major sporting avenue in the United States.
