President Donald Trump shares note of support for USA cricket team during T20 World Cup: ‘We have a very strong team’

American President Donald Trump shared a message of support for the USA's cricket team currently in India and Sri Lanka.

Updated on: Feb 9, 2026, 07:28:57 IST

Written by Kartikay Dutta

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India got off to a winning start in their defence of the T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, but only after being given a brief scare by USA in their opener on Saturday night. The US proceeded to lose by 29 runs – but it was a performance to be proud of as the gap between cricket’s established countries and the band of up-and-comers continues to shrink.

The USA aim to have a redo of their strong showing in the 2024 T20 World Cup. (PTI)

Following the USA’s strong start to the tournament, President Donald Trump shared a message on the social media app Truth Social, where he shared his best wishes for the team’s campaign in India.

Writing on his account, Trump said: “I just heard the Cricket World Cup is underway in India! I wish the best of luck to TEAM USA! We have a very strong team. America is rooting for you!”

The USA is widely considered the next barrier to breach for cricket, with attempts being made via tournaments such as the 2024 T20 World Cup being held in part on American soil, and the foundation of Major League Cricket, which continues to grow in its nascency.

Pakistan up next for USA

President Trump’s message will be taken as an indication of the sport’s growing stature in the United States, and might provide an on-field boost as the recognition arrives for the work being put in by the USA’s cricketing pyramid.

Trump’s message was reshared by Sergio Gor, who serves as the USA’s ambassador to India, and was present at the Wankhede Stadium to watch the match himself. In a short-and-sweet message, Ambassador Gor wrote ‘Thank you Mr. President.’

The US are drawn into the same group as India and Pakistan, two cricketing giants with whom they also shared a group in 2024. The US registered a famous super over victory over Pakistan in that match on home turf, a watershed moment for the sport in the country.

Along with this pair of things, the USA will like their chances against the Netherlands and Namibia, who share the group. They next travel to Sri Lanka, where they prepare to play Pakistan in Colombo and give a similar account of themselves as they did in 2024.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kartikay Dutta
Kartikay Dutta is a sports writer with the Hindustan Times Sports Desk, having joined in August 2024 to further his professional journey and pursue his long-standing ambition of working in sports media. With a strong interest in cricket, tennis, and football, Kartikay focuses on exploring the deeper layers of sport beyond the immediate action on the field. His work centres on producing insightful long-form and analytical pieces that examine the stories behind performances, teams, and tournaments. He is particularly interested in narratives that intersect with culture, history, and politics, helping readers understand how modern sport evolves within a broader social context. Before joining Hindustan Times, Kartikay worked with leading digital newsrooms in India, where he developed a strong foundation in data-driven storytelling. He is skilled at using statistics, records, and historical trends to uncover patterns and perspectives that add depth to match coverage and sports features. His approach combines research with narrative clarity, allowing complex sporting developments to be presented in an engaging and accessible manner. Kartikay also has a growing passion for multimedia storytelling. He actively explores how photographs, videos, and graphics can enhance sports journalism by illustrating not only what happens during competition but also the preparation, strategy, and operational dynamics behind the scenes. Through this evolving skill set, he aims to contribute to a more immersive and modern form of sports storytelling that connects audiences more closely with the games they follow.Read More

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