When the United States was awarded the hosting rights for the T20 World Cup, skepticism reigned supreme. The nation is known for baseball and rugby, lately football too. The USA cricket team? Not so much. The narrative of the tournament has largely centred around the low attendances and tricky pitch conditions. Yet it is on the 22 yards that the host nation has done its talking.
Table of Contents
The USA cricket team has already scripted an extraordinary tale, defying the odds and capturing the imagination of the spectators. Roaring to victory against Canada in their opening match, before following that up with an upset for the ages against giants Pakistan, the USA have turned in two remarkable performances that have transformed them from perhaps undeserving hosts into formidable dark horses.
Rise to the Top
While their bright start to this home tournament triumph has brought them fame and recognition, this USA team has been a rising force for a while now.
As recently as 2016, they were in Division 4 of associate nation cricket. By 2018 they were in Division 2 and soon after, they achieved official associate ODI status. In 2024 itself, they’ve notched up series wins over Ireland and Bangladesh. They’re now 18th in the world rankings. Giant-killing isn’t an outlier for this squad – it’s quickly becoming a habit. The win against Pakistan has simply cemented their status as a force to be reckoned with. This could yet prove to be the foundation stone for a new era of cricket in the United States.
The American Dream
The lack of a substantial home crowd support could have been a demoralizing factor for the USA, but this lot is a resilient one. Their nerves of steel were on full display in the nail-biting Super Over against Pakistan. They’ve overcome great odds to be here and know they belong, know they possess the quality to compete at the highest level.
It is a resounding testament to the depth of the squad. Victories have been a true team effort, with the collective mentality plainly visible in the USA’s sharp fielding performances. A squad featuring a diverse blend of Indian-, Pakistani-, South African- and West Indian-origin journeyman talent just refuses to be intimidated.
Saurabh Netravalkar has stolen the spotlight with his Super Over heroics, but fellow pacer Ali Khan and spinner Nosthush Kenjige have been equally efficient. Andries Gous, Aaron Jones and Captain Monank Patel have anchored their batting displays and dragged their team to victory on each occasion. Their strength bodes well for their continued rise on the global cricketing stage.
What next for USA Cricket?
While the ongoing T20 World Cup in the USA aims to harness the cricket enthusiasm that already exists in the country, it also presents an opportunity to expand the sport’s reach. With Major League Cricket providing the financial backbone and the national team racking up the wins, American cricket finds itself at an opportune juncture to establish a foothold in the sporting consciousness of the nation. Cricket will return to the Olympics in 2028 and the Games are scheduled to be held in Los Angeles. The future is bright; for a country historically unacquainted with the sport, the exploits of their home team have become a potent marketing tool.
Amidst all the euphoria, however, Patel and Co. remain firmly grounded. “We’ll enjoy the win today and make sure that the next day we come fresh. Our focus will be on playing against India now.”
Perhaps a step too far and a giant too mighty, but this lot is unfazed.
