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USA Cricket has announced a significantly altered T20 International (T20I) squad for the upcoming North American T20 Cup, signaling a shift in focus towards developing younger talent. The tournament, set to take place in the Cayman Islands from April 18-27, will see the USA compete against a mix of lower-ranked Associate nations, including Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands, along with a key contest against Canada.
Monank Patel to lead the youthful USA squad in North American Cup
The USA selectors have opted to rest several experienced players who featured in their recent T20I series against Oman. Monank Patel will continue to lead the side, but will be without some of his regular teammates.
Key absentees include wicketkeeper-batsman Andries Gous, who is unavailable due to his commitments with Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025. The spin department will miss the left-arm spin duo of Harmeet Singh and Nosthush Kenjige, both of whom have been rested. Fast bowler Ali Khan, a vital part of the USA’s pace attack, is also among those rested. Steven Taylor, who recently returned to the national team but failed to make an impact in the Oman series, has been dropped.
The changes have opened doors for several new and returning faces. Rahul Jariwala, a 20-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, has earned a recall to the national side after nearly three years, last playing an international match in September 2022. He is expected to fill the void left by Gous at the top of the order.
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Leg-spinner Yasir Mohammad, who has often found himself on the bench due to the presence of Harmeet and Kenjige, will now have a chance to play a more prominent role in the spin attack. Off-spinner Akhilesh Bodugum has received his maiden national call-up following impressive performances in the Minor League Cricket tournament. The spin options are further strengthened by the return of left-arm spinner Vatsal Vaghela.
In the pace department, Aarin Nadkarni is set to make his international debut. Nadkarni made headlines with a spell of 4 for 14 against Nepal during a tour game last year. Left-arm seamer Ayan Desai has also been recalled to the squad after being overlooked since the Namibia tour.
USA squad for the North American T20 Cup
Monank Patel (captain), Jessy Singh, Saurabh Netravalkar, Rahul Jariwala, Aaron Jones, Shayan Jahangir, Saietja Mukkamala, Milind Kumar, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Ali Sheikh, Yasir Mohammad, Akhilesh Bodugum, Vatsal Vaghela, Ayan Desai, Aarin Nadkarni
