ICC Chairman Jay Shah Extends Best Wishes to Teams for T20 World Cup 2026
New Delhi, India – The International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman, Jay Shah, has officially extended his best wishes to all participating teams in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. In a post on his X account on Saturday, Shah highlighted the competitive nature of the tournament, noting that six different teams have emerged as champions in the nine editions held so far.
Tournament Details and Opening Matches
The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 commenced today, February 7, and is scheduled to conclude on March 8. This edition features a 20-team format, with the opening match taking place at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, where Pakistan will face the Netherlands. The tournament promises 55 exciting matches across various venues in India and Sri Lanka.
India's Campaign and Key Fixtures
Team India, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, will begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign today as well. The Men in Blue are set to play against the United States of America at the Wankhede Stadium. Following this, India's group-stage schedule includes:
- A match against Namibia at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium on February 12.
- A highly anticipated clash with Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 15, though this fixture is currently uncertain due to Pakistan's earlier announcement of a boycott.
- A final group-stage game against the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 18.
India's Squad for T20 World Cup 2026
The Indian team has announced a strong squad for the tournament, featuring a mix of experienced players and emerging talents. The full squad is as follows:
- Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)
- Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper)
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya
- Shivam Dube
- Axar Patel (Vice-Captain)
- Rinku Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Washington Sundar
- Mohd. Siraj
This lineup aims to bring home the trophy, adding to India's cricketing legacy in the T20 format.
Jay Shah's Message and Tournament Significance
In his social media post, Jay Shah emphasized the unpredictability and excitement of the T20 World Cup, stating, "Six different champions already in nine editions of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Wishing the teams the very best of luck as they battle for the crown over 55 exciting matches in India and Sri Lanka!" This message underscores the global appeal and competitive spirit of the event, which brings together top cricketing nations in a fast-paced format.
The co-hosting by India and Sri Lanka is expected to draw massive crowds and viewership, boosting the sport's popularity in the region. With matches spread across iconic stadiums, fans can look forward to a month of thrilling cricket action.
