Mumbai’s iconic Siddhivinayak Temple turned into a hub of cricket fervor as members of the Indian cricket team arrived to seek Lord Ganesha’s blessings ahead of their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign kickoff. With the high-stakes opener against the USA set for Saturday at Wankhede Stadium, the players and support staff made the traditional pilgrimage, invoking divine support for what promises to be a thrilling tournament on home soil.
Spin duo Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chkravarthy, accompanied by fielding coach Dilip, were spotted at the temple. Temple officials warmly welcomed them, presenting souvenirs as tokens of goodwill. This visit follows head coach Gautam Gambhir’s darshan on Thursday, underscoring the team’s deep-rooted faith in spiritual guidance before crucial battles.
Placed in Group A alongside rivals Pakistan, Namibia, Netherlands, and hosts USA, India faces a packed schedule. The campaign starts with USA on February 7, followed by Namibia on the 12th, a blockbuster clash with Pakistan on the 15th shrouded in anticipation, and Netherlands on the 18th. Captain Suryakumar Yadav leads a squad aiming to etch history by becoming the first team to defend the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title and the first to lift the trophy on home turf.
Team India rides a wave of dominance, boasting 48 wins from 56 T20Is since October 2023. Their recent 4-1 series triumph over New Zealand highlights their red-hot form. Flashback to the last encounter with USA in the 2024 edition: in New York, India bundled them out for 110/8 and chased it down with 7 wickets and 18.2 overs to spare. Suryakumar’s unbeaten 50 off 49 balls, laced with four boundaries, and Shivam Dube’s 31* sealed a commanding victory.
As the cricketing world turns its eyes to Mumbai, the blend of skill, strategy, and spirituality positions India as favorites. Fans are buzzing with excitement, hoping Bappa’s blessings propel the Men in Blue to glory once again.