A video showing United States men’s cricket team players enjoying pani puri on the streets of Mumbai has gone viral, days after their warm-up match against India A and amid heightened discussions around security during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The visuals, widely shared across social media platforms, showed several USA players standing at a roadside stall, sampling the popular Indian street snack and interacting casually with locals. The clip surfaced at a time when security arrangements around the tournament have been under scrutiny, following travel-related concerns raised by some participating boards and governments. Against that backdrop, the relaxed outing by the USA squad stood out, presenting a sharp contrast to the prevailing narrative surrounding safety and movement restrictions during the competition. Watch the video here: USA cricketers enjoying pani puri (golgappa) in Mumbai after the warm-up match vs India — pure desi vibes 😋 pic.twitter.com/7URxPFlgnA — Sonu (@Cricket_live247) February 3, 2026 The USA team is currently based in Mumbai as part of its preparatory phase, having played a warm-up fixture against India A before the start of its World Cup campaign. Their opening group-stage match is scheduled against India at the Wankhede Stadium on February 7. Context of security discussions around the tournament The T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, has seen repeated references to security protocols in recent weeks, particularly after geopolitical developments involving certain teams. While the International Cricket Council and local organisers have maintained that extensive arrangements are in place, off-field developments have continued to draw attention. Within that environment, the USA players’ movement outside team hotels, without visible disruption, has been noted by fans and observers alike. The video did not indicate any breach of protocol, nor has there been any official comment suggesting that the players acted outside approved guidelines. For the USA squad, which includes several players with roots in the Indian subcontinent, acclimatisation has involved both on-field training and adjusting to local conditions. Team members have been in India ahead of the tournament to manage the transition to pitches, climate and match schedules. Read also: Narayan Jagadeesan Hits Rapid Century in T20 World Cup Warm-Up vs USA Focus remains on cricket as World Cup nears Despite the attention generated by the street-food moment, the USA camp remains focused on cricketing preparations. The team qualified directly for the 2026 edition after reaching the Super 8 stage in the previous World Cup, marking a steady rise in its international profile. The warm-up match against India A was part of the ICC’s structured build-up for participating teams, allowing associate nations additional match exposure before facing full-member sides. India versus USA is expected to attract significant interest, given the contrasting histories and resources of the two teams. While security remains a talking point around the tournament, the USA players’ brief appearance at a Mumbai food stall has underlined that teams continue to move within host cities under existing arrangements. As the World Cup approaches, organizers and teams alike are balancing logistical caution with routine preparation, with attention now shifting firmly to on-field action.