The defending champions are back! India’s title defense at the T20 World Cup 2026 begins with a blockbuster opener against the USA, as the ICC unveiled the complete tournament schedule. With Suryakumar Yadav leading the charge and the tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, fans are in for an unforgettable cricket carnival starting February 2026.
Table of Contents
T20 World Cup India’s Complete Group Stage Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 1 | February 8 | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | USA |
| Match 2 | February 12 | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | Namibia |
| Match 3 | February 15 | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | Pakistan |
| Match 4 | February 18 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | Netherlands |
Tournament Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament Start | February 7, 2026 |
| India’s First Match | February 8 vs USA |
| Co-Hosts | India & Sri Lanka |
| India’s Group | Group A (5 teams) |
| Qualification | Top 2 advance |
| India’s Captain | Suryakumar Yadav |
Group Stage Breakdown
Group A: India, Pakistan, Netherlands, Namibia, USA
Group B: Sri Lanka, Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman
Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, Italy
Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE, Canada
India faces a balanced group with the marquee Pakistan clash scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. According to the official ICC T20 World Cup website, the top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stages.
Key Match Analysis
Opening Clash vs USA (February 8, Mumbai): The defending champions launch their campaign at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. The USA proved they’re no pushovers during the 2024 tournament, making this opener crucial for momentum building.
India vs Pakistan (February 15, Colombo): Mark your calendars! Cricket’s biggest rivalry unfolds at Sri Lanka’s R. Premadasa Stadium. This neutral venue encounter promises electric atmosphere and global viewership records. The fixture timing ensures maximum prime-time coverage across continents.
Home Advantage: Three of India’s four group matches occur on home soil—Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad—providing massive crowd support. Only the Pakistan match ventures to Sri Lanka, adding strategic complexity to India’s campaign.
For detailed match previews and tactical analysis, check our T20 World Cup 2026 coverage hub and India squad predictions.
Host Venues Overview
India Venues: Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), Arun Jaitley Stadium (Delhi), Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai)
Sri Lanka Venues: R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (Colombo), Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy), Sinhalese Sports Club (Colombo)
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the world’s largest cricket stadium with 132,000 capacity, hosts India’s final group match against the Netherlands—potentially a qualification decider.
Path to Glory
India needs to finish in the top two of Group A to advance. With Pakistan as the primary competitor and three relatively manageable opponents (USA, Namibia, Netherlands), the Men in Blue are favorites to progress. However, as the 2024 USA upset against Pakistan proved, T20 cricket’s unpredictability demands respect for every opponent.
How to Watch T20 World Cup 2026
India viewers: Star Sports Network holds exclusive broadcast rights with comprehensive coverage across Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, and regional language channels. Stream every match live on Disney+ Hotstar with multilingual commentary options.
Global Coverage: Check your region’s official ICC broadcasting partners for local TV and streaming options. The tournament reaches 200+ countries with coverage in multiple languages.
Digital Platforms: Follow @BCCI on Twitter/X and @ICC for live updates, video highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and breaking news. Download the official ICC app for ball-by-ball scores, player stats, and exclusive video content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will Rohit Sharma play in T20 World Cup 2026?
As of now, Suryakumar Yadav has been designated as India’s T20I captain following the 2024 World Cup victory. Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is after winning the 2024 tournament. The final squad for 2026 will be announced closer to the tournament, but the current leadership structure suggests Suryakumar will continue leading the team.
Q: How can I buy tickets for India’s T20 World Cup 2026 matches?
Official ticket sales for T20 World Cup 2026 will begin in late 2025 or early 2026 through the ICC’s official ticketing platform and authorized partners. For India-hosted matches, tickets will also be available through BCCI’s official channels. Register on the official ICC website to receive notifications when ticket sales open, as high-demand matches like India vs Pakistan typically sell out within hours.
