The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially confirmed the schedule for sixteen preparatory matches that will precede the highly anticipated 2026 Men's T20 World Cup. These warm-up fixtures are strategically planned to take place from February 2nd to February 6th, setting the stage for the main tournament which commences on February 7th, 2026.
Venue Distribution Across Host Nations
The preparatory matches will be hosted across multiple premier cricket venues in the two co-host nations, India and Sri Lanka. This distribution ensures that teams get acclimatized to different playing conditions before the World Cup begins.
Indian Venues for Warm-Up Matches
In India, cricket enthusiasts can look forward to matches at three significant locations:
- BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) Ground 1 in Bengaluru
- DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai
- M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai
Sri Lankan Venues for Warm-Up Matches
Sri Lanka will host its share of warm-up games at three Colombo-based grounds:
- SSC Cricket Ground
- R. Premadasa Stadium
- Colombo Cricket Club Ground
Key Fixtures and Team Preparations
The defending champions, India, are scheduled to face South Africa in what promises to be an exciting warm-up encounter at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on February 4th. Additionally, the India A squad will engage in two matches - against the USA on February 2nd and Namibia on February 6th.
Ticket Information for Key Matches
The ICC has announced that tickets for the high-profile warm-up matches at DY Patil Stadium - specifically the USA versus India A and India versus South Africa fixtures - will be available for purchase. Fans can secure their seats through online platforms like BookMyShow or directly from the stadium box office.
Broadcast and Streaming Details
For cricket fans in India, all matches featuring the Indian national team and India A squad will be broadcast live on Star Sports and streamed on Jio Hotstar. This ensures comprehensive coverage for viewers across the country.
India A Squad Composition
The India A team for the T20 World Cup warm-up matches features a blend of emerging talent and experienced players:
- Captain: Ayush Badoni
- Wicketkeepers: Naman Dhir, N Jagadeesan, Urvil Patel
- Batters: Priyansh Arya, Tilak Varma, Riyan Parag
- All-rounders: Ashutosh Sharma
- Bowlers: Manav Suthar, Ashok Sharma, Gurjapneet Singh, Vipraj Nigam, Ravi Bishnoi, Khaleel Ahmed, Mayank Yadav
Complete Warm-Up Schedule (All Times in IST)
February 2
- Afghanistan vs Scotland, BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1, Bengaluru – 3:00 PM
- USA vs India 'A', DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai – 5:00 PM
- Canada vs Italy, M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai – 7:00 PM
February 3
- Oman vs Sri Lanka 'A', Colombo Cricket Club Ground, Colombo – 1:00 PM
- Netherlands vs Zimbabwe, R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo – 3:00 PM
- Nepal vs UAE, M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai – 5:00 PM
February 4
- Scotland vs Namibia, BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2, Bengaluru – 1:00 PM
- Afghanistan vs West Indies, BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1, Bengaluru – 3:00 PM
- Pakistan vs Ireland, SSC Cricket Ground, Colombo – 5:00 PM
- India vs South Africa, DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai – 7:00 PM
February 5
- Zimbabwe vs Oman, Colombo Cricket Club Ground, Colombo – 11:00 AM
- Nepal vs Canada, M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai – 1:00 PM
- Australia vs Netherlands, R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo – 5:00 PM
- New Zealand vs USA, DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai – 7:00 PM
February 6
- Italy vs UAE, M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai – 3:00 PM
- India 'A' vs Namibia, BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1, Bengaluru – 5:00 PM
The warm-up programme commences with Afghanistan taking on Scotland in Bengaluru on February 2nd and concludes with India A's match against Namibia at the BCCI CoE Ground on February 6th. These matches provide crucial preparation opportunities for all participating teams as they fine-tune their strategies and combinations ahead of the main tournament.
