T20 World Cup 2026: Did USA Players Really Enjoy 'Pani Puri' In Mumbai Ahead Of India Game? - Fact Check

The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup kicked off with a burst of colour, culture and excitement as the United States men’s national cricket team landed in Mumbai ahead of their opening match against hosts India men’s national cricket team at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on February 7, 2026.

With the tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the Americans travelled early to acclimatise to local conditions and begin preparations for one of the biggest fixtures in their cricketing history. The USA qualified directly for this edition after impressively reaching the Super 8 stage in the 2024 World Cup, and now aim to build on that momentum against a formidable Indian side.

Did USA Players Really Enjoy 'Pani Puri'?

Ahead of the high-pressure clash, a video on social media platform X, saw USA players engaging in a light-hearted moment. The players were clicked enjoying Mumbai’s legendary street food, pani puri, during a break from training in the city.

Fake News

However, the video turned to be an old as the likes of Aaron Jones (not part of the USA squad) and some other names, can be seen enjoying the delicacy.

Noted cricket journalist Peter Della Penna called out the tweet as 'fake news'. He wrote, "This is fake news, very old video. Aaron Jones is in this clip, currently suspended on anti-corruption charges. Also in the video are Utkarsh Srivastava and Juanoy Drysdale, who were not part of USA's World Cup training squad neither in Sri Lanka nor India."

USA To Face India on February 7

India and the USA are set to clash in what promises to be an intriguing Group A fixture, featuring contrasting cricket histories but unified by the shared excitement of global competition.

This Group A fixture marks a major moment for the Americans as they take on one of the world’s strongest sides in front of a passionate crowd, blending cricketing tradition with global enthusiasm for the sport.