ICC T20 World Cup 2026 schedule unveiled; India to face THIS team in warm-ups

ICC T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up schedule unveiled [Source: @BCCI/x]

The Indian cricket team is set to play just one warm-up match as the International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the entire warm-up schedule of the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. It is worth noting that two teams, namely England and Sri Lanka have opted themselves out of the warm-up routine from the tournament.

As many as 16 warm-up fixtures will be played overall between February 2 and February 6 across several India and Sri Lanka venues.

India to face South Africa in T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up

As per the schedule, Team India will be facing South Africa in their only warm-up match of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup next week. Apart from the competing teams of the tournament, teams like India A and Sri Lanka A will also be taking part to assist the visiting nations.

Interestingly, England and Sri Lanka cricket teams will not be taking part in the routine. While the ECB and the SLC are yet to confirm the exact reason behind their decision, one can assume that a break from the warm-ups comes as part of a workload management for the players. Both England and Sri Lanka teams are also currently engaged in a white-ball series with each other in the island nation.

Nonetheless, here is a look at the entire warm-up schedule of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

ICC T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up schedule

1. February 2 – Afghanistan vs Scotland – Bengaluru – 3 PM
2. February 2 – India A vs USA – Navi Mumbai – 5 PM
3. February 2 – Canada vs Italy – Chennai – 7 PM
4. February 3 – Sri Lanka A vs Oman – Colombo – 1 PM
5. February 3 – Netherlands vs Zimbabwe – Colombo – 3 PM
6. February 3 – Nepal vs UAE – Chennai – 5 PM
7. February 4 – Namibia vs Scotland – Bengaluru – 1 PM
8. February 4 – Afghanistan vs West Indies – Bengaluru – 3 PM
9. February 4 – Ireland vs Pakistan – Colombo – 5 PM
10. February 4 – India vs South Africa – Navi Mumbai – 7 PM
11. February 5 – Oman vs Zimbabwe – Colombo – 1 PM
12. February 5 – Canada vs Nepal – Chennai – 3 PM
13. February 5 – Australia vs Netherlands – Colombo – 5 PM
14. February 5 – New Zealand vs USA – Navi Mumbai – 7 PM
15. February 6 – Italy vs UAE – Chennai – 3 PM
16. February 6 – India A vs Namibia – Bengaluru – 5 PM

T20 World Cup 2026 to launch on February 7

As per the intended schedule, the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will launch just a day after the conclusion of the warm-ups. The opening match of the tournament will be played between Pakistan and Netherlands in Colombo on February 7.

As many as 20 teams are participating in the competition, forming four groups of five teams each for an intense two-week group stage. The Indian cricket team will start out as defending champions, having won the previous edition in 2024.