The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially released the T20 World Cup warm up match schedule, giving cricket fans a first glimpse of the action before the main tournament kicks off. The warm-up matches are set to take place from 2nd to 6th February 2026, across seven different venues, featuring most of the major cricketing nations.
Interestingly, England will not participate in the warm-up games this time, while teams like Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, and West Indies will each play one warm-up match to fine-tune their strategies ahead of the main event.
India’s Warm-Up Fixture Against South Africa
The Indian national team will play a single warm-up match against South Africa on 4th February 2026 at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai. This match provides an opportunity for the team to adjust to local conditions and test combinations before the T20 World Cup proper begins.
In addition to the main Indian team, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced an India A squad for the warm-up matches. This squad will play the remaining two warm-up games, providing a platform for emerging players to showcase their talent on a global stage.
India A Squad for Warm-Up Matches
The India A team will be captained by Ayush Badoni, who will lead a blend of young talent and fringe players from the domestic circuit. Tilak Varma, who recently recovered from an injury sustained during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, is also included in the squad. He is expected to play at least one match to prove his fitness ahead of the tournament.
India A Squad:
- Ayush Badoni (Captain)
- Naman Dhir
- Ashutosh Sharma
- Priyansh Arya
- N. Jagdishan (Wicketkeeper)
- Tilak Varma
- Riyan Parag
- Manav Suthar
- Ashok Sharma
- Urvil Patel (Wicketkeeper)
- Gurjapneet Singh
- Vipraj Nigam
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Khalil Ahmed
- Mayank Yadav
This squad allows young players to gain crucial international exposure while also giving senior players match practice before the tournament begins.
First Warm-Up Matches
The warm-up series will kick off with a match between Afghanistan and Scotland at Bengaluru’s BCCI Center of Excellence, Ground 1. Simultaneously, India A will face the United States of America (USA) at the DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai. On the first day, Canada will play Italy in Chennai.
Below is the detailed T20 World Cup warm up match schedule:
| Date | Teams | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Feb 2026 | Afghanistan vs Scotland | BCCI Center of Excellence, Bengaluru | First warm-up match of the series |
| 2 Feb 2026 | Canada vs Italy | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | Day 1 warm-up match |
| 2 Feb 2026 | India A vs USA | DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai | India A squad debut |
| 4 Feb 2026 | India vs South Africa | DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai | Only warm-up for main Indian team |
| 3–6 Feb 2026 | Remaining warm-up matches | Various venues | Including Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, West Indies |
This structured schedule ensures that every team has the opportunity to test their combinations, experiment with playing XI, and prepare for the high-pressure environment of the T20 World Cup.
T20 World Cup Start Date and India’s First Match
The T20 World Cup 2026 will officially begin on 7th February 2026 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with a match between Netherlands and Pakistan. India’s opening match will be against the United States of America (USA) in Mumbai. The final match is scheduled for 8th March 2026, with the venue depending on whether Pakistan qualifies for the final.
How to Watch Warm-Up Matches
Fans can catch all the warm-up match highlights on ICC’s digital platforms. The India vs South Africa warm-up match will be broadcast live on Star Sports and JioTV / Hotstar. Additionally, cricket enthusiasts can stream the matches live for free on ICC.tv, making it accessible to viewers globally.
The warm-up games are crucial for players and fans alike, offering a glimpse of potential match-ups and performances before the high-stakes T20 World Cup matches begin. Teams will utilize these matches to test new players, refine strategies, and build momentum ahead of the tournament.
With this structured schedule, fans can plan their viewing and ensure they don’t miss any of the early action. The T20 World Cup warm up match schedule promises competitive cricket, emerging talent, and a perfect prelude to one of the most exciting tournaments in world cricket.
Key Highlights:
- Warm-up matches: 2–6 February 2026
- India’s warm-up: vs South Africa, 4 Feb at DY Patil Stadium
- India A squad announced with Ayush Badoni as captain
- Opening T20 World Cup match: 7 Feb, Netherlands vs Pakistan
- Final: 8 March 2026 (venue TBD)
- Watch live: Star Sports, JioTV / Hotstar, ICC.tv
