Why Nosthush Kenjige is Not Playing Today in USA vs NAM T20 World Cup 2026?

The 26th match of this T20 WC 2026 is scheduled between the USA and Namibia, and it is taking place at one of the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) in Chennai. Both teams are ready to play their third group stage match.

The USA are coming after a huge 93-run win against the Netherlands, while Gerhard Erasmus and his team is still looking for their first win of this campaign as they lost to hosts India in their last match.

The toss has been completed between the two captains, and it is Monank Patel, the captain of USA, who has won the toss and elected to bat first. Among the changes, left-arm seamer Saurabh Netravalkar has been included in the team as Nosthush Kenjige replacement.

Why Nosthush Kenjige is Not Playing Today Against Namibia?

After the last match against the Netherlands, the American side is looking in great form and with a really positive approach. Monank Patel made a surprise announcement at the toss by bringing in Saurabh Netravalkar into the side after Kenjige had been dropped from today's playing XI. This replacement has been made as a tactical adjustment by the USA team management.

Netravalkar provides variety with his left-arm angle, which prompted the team management to lean towards him. The pitches in Chennai have been least favorable to the spinners this tournament, and as a result, Kenjige wasn't preferred for the USA vs NAM T20 World Cup match.

Saurabh Netravalkar has emerged into one of the best T20 bowlers in the world over the past few years. However, he hasn't been at his best in the T20 World Cup 2026 so far. The left-arm seamer features regularly in some of the biggest cricket leagues in the world, and has plenty of experience of playing this format.

Nosthush Kenjige's Bowling Figures Against Netherlands

Kenjige opened the bowling in the last match against Netherlands and returned impressive figures of 1-23 in three overs. He picked up the big wicket of Michael Levitt, who has been in devastating form this tournament.

With Nosthush Kenjige not in the team, the USA will hope that Netravalkar lives up to the expectations after being dropped for one game. He is one of the most experienced bowlers for this team and has a big role to play.

USA Playing 11 Against Namibia

Monank Patel (Captain), Shayan Jahangir (wk), Saiteja Mukkamalla, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Shubham Ranjane, Milind Kumar, Harmeet Singh, Mohammad Mohsin, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar