The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka, is set to commence on February 7 and will run until March 8. This edition marks the 10th of the tournament and will feature 20 teams competing across 55 matches. The final match is scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad, India on March 8.

India's Pursuit of Consecutive Titles

India, the defending champions, enter the tournament with the ambition of securing a historic consecutive title win. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian squad showcases a blend of experienced players and promising talent. Key players to watch out for include Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and young guns like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma. India is placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, United States, Netherlands and Namibia. Their opening match is against the United States in Mumbai. India will be looking to replicate their undefeated run from the previous tournament, where they won all nine of their matches.

Sri Lanka's Home Advantage

Sri Lanka, the co-hosts and champions of the 2014 edition, will be aiming to leverage their home advantage to make a strong impact on the tournament. Dasun Shanaka will captain the Sri Lankan side, which includes experienced players such as Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Charith Asalanka. Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana are expected to play crucial roles with their all-round skills and spin bowling. Sri Lanka is in Group B with Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman. Their first match is against Ireland in Colombo. The team will be counting on familiarity with local conditions and strong support from the home crowd.

Tournament Format and Key Fixtures

The tournament will follow a format similar to the 2024 edition, with the 20 teams divided into four groups of five. The top two teams from each group will proceed to the Super 8 stage, where they will be further divided into two groups of four. The top two teams from each Super 8 group will then qualify for the semi-finals, followed by the final.

The opening match will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with Pakistan facing the Netherlands. Other key fixtures include India versus Pakistan, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. The semi-finals will be held on March 4 and 5, with Kolkata and Mumbai as potential venues.

Other Participating Teams

Apart from India and Sri Lanka, other teams to watch include:

• Australia: Led by Mitchell Marsh, the 2021 champions will be aiming to add another title to their name.
• England: Captained by Harry Brook, the 2010 and 2022 champions have a strong squad with a mix of experience and youth.
• Pakistan: With Salman Ali Agha as captain, the 2009 champions will be looking to improve their recent performances.
• New Zealand: Under the leadership of Mitchell Santner, the Kiwis will aim to replicate their success in other formats.
• West Indies: Shai Hope will lead the two-time champions, who will be eager to perform well.

The T20 World Cup 2026 promises to be an exciting tournament filled with intense competition and memorable moments. With India aiming for consecutive titles and Sri Lanka looking to capitalize on home conditions, fans can expect thrilling cricket action.