The USA is poised to continue their impressive T20 World Cup 2024 campaign by taking on the formidable Indian team. As co-hosts, the USA has had a strong showing in the tournament thus far, remaining unbeaten after securing victories against Canada and Pakistan. These wins have placed them in second position in their group standings. Their upcoming challenge is against India, the table-toppers, in what promises to be a thrilling contest.
This highly anticipated match will take place at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Wednesday, June 12, marking the 25th game of the tournament. In the lead-up to this significant clash, USA’s star batter Aaron Jones has shared his excitement about facing India. Jones expressed his long-standing dream of competing against the biggest names in cricket, a dream he has harboured since childhood.
“It is actually exciting, me growing up as a kid, I always wanted to play against the best players in the world. I’m definitely going to get the opportunity to do that now and it’s exciting for me, I don’t want to say intimidating,” Aaron Jones remarked during the pre-match press conference. His enthusiasm is palpable, not just for the opportunity to compete against cricketing giants, but also for the chance to interact with them and, hopefully, secure a victory.
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Jones also emphasized the historical significance of this match, noting that it is the first time the USA will face India in any format of the game. This milestone adds an extra layer of excitement for both the players and the fans. “I’m excited to play against them and talk to them. Definitely to beat them as well. They’re pretty excited to be honest. This is the first time USA will be playing against India,” he added.
#WATCH | New York, USA: On World Cup T20 cricket match between India & USA today, USA vice-captain Aaron Jones says, “Definitely we’re going to come hard at India. We want to play every game hard, we want to play fearless cricket and we want to come out on top for sure… We’ve… pic.twitter.com/TsLBTeFW26
— ANI (@ANI) June 11, 2024
Beyond the immediate excitement of the match, Jones reflected on the broader implications for cricket in the USA. He hopes that the ongoing T20 World Cup will attract a surge of new fans to the sport, contributing to its growing popularity. With cricket’s inclusion in the upcoming Olympics, Jones believes that the sport is on the verge of a significant breakthrough in the USA.
“It’s only a matter of time before a majority of people come on board. America is a place where people love sports. Obviously, this World Cup is going to open the eyes of a lot of people, and then in a few years, you have cricket in the Olympics — that’s a very big thing as well. I think everything is on the rise right now,” Aaron Jones stated.
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In summary, the USA’s encounter with India in the T20 World Cup 2024 is not just a match but a potential turning point for cricket in the USA. With the excitement and anticipation building, this historic game could play a crucial role in the sport’s growth and popularity in a country known for its passion for sports.
