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    T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-Up Matches Begin Across India and Sri Lanka: Full Schedule, Venues and

    8 hours ago

    With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 just days away, participating teams have begun their final preparations through a series of official warm-up matches across India and Sri Lanka. The warm-up fixtures commenced on February 2 and will continue until February 6, offering teams crucial match practice ahead of the tournament’s opening on February 7.

    A total of 16 warm-up matches are scheduled to be played across four cities—Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru in India, along with Colombo in Sri Lanka. These games are being closely followed by fans and analysts alike, as they provide an early indication of team combinations, player form and tactical approaches before the main tournament.

    Venues Hosting the Warm-Up Matches

    In India, the warm-up games are being hosted at three major venues. The BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru is hosting multiple fixtures involving associate and full-member nations. Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium is staging high-profile encounters, including matches featuring India and other top teams. Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium is also part of the warm-up circuit, hosting several games involving emerging and associate sides.

    In Sri Lanka, matches are being held at the SSC Cricket Ground, R. Premadasa Stadium, and the Colombo Cricket Club Ground. These venues are expected to offer varied pitch conditions, helping teams adapt to different playing surfaces ahead of the tournament.

    Opening-Day Results Set the Tone

    The warm-up phase began with Afghanistan registering a comfortable victory over Scotland, while India A secured a win against the United States. One of the notable results on the opening day was Italy’s win over Canada, which drew attention as associate teams look to make an impact in the global tournament.

    Tournament officials confirmed that Scotland entered the competition at a late stage after Bangladesh opted out of participation in matches hosted on Indian soil, leading to adjustments in the warm-up schedule.

    Where to Watch: Broadcast and Streaming Information

    Cricket fans across the world can follow the warm-up matches through a range of television and digital platforms, depending on their region.

    In India, selected warm-up matches, including the high-profile India vs South Africa fixture, are being broadcast on Star Sports channels. Live streaming is available on Jio Hotstar, which is also streaming several other warm-up games involving teams such as Afghanistan, UAE, Canada, Nepal, New Zealand, Namibia and India A.

    In Sri Lanka, matches are being televised and streamed via local sports broadcasters and digital platforms, ensuring coverage of all warm-up fixtures hosted in the country.

    Viewers in Pakistan can watch the entire warm-up schedule through multiple local streaming and television services. In Afghanistan, matches involving the national team are being broadcast on domestic sports channels.

    For audiences in Bangladesh, all warm-up games are available via a dedicated digital streaming service. In North America, the matches are accessible through a cricket-focused sports network, while viewers in the Middle East and North Africa can watch selected games on regional broadcasters, with remaining fixtures available on the ICC’s official digital platform.

    In the United Kingdom, major matches are being shown on a leading sports network, with additional games accessible online. Similar arrangements are in place for viewers in Sub-Saharan Africa and New Zealand, ensuring global access to the pre-tournament action.

    Tournament Format and Road Ahead

    The T20 World Cup 2026 features 20 teams divided into four groups of five. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 8 stage. In the Super 8 round, eight teams will be split into two groups of four, with the top two from each group qualifying for the semifinals.

    The final of the tournament is scheduled to be played on March 8, bringing nearly a month of international cricket to a close.

    Warm-Up Match Schedule at a Glance

    The warm-up fixtures are spread across five days, featuring a mix of top-ranked teams and emerging nations. Key matches include India vs South Africa in Navi Mumbai, Pakistan vs Ireland in Colombo, Afghanistan vs West Indies in Bengaluru, and New Zealand vs USA in Navi Mumbai. Several associate teams such as Nepal, Oman, Italy, Namibia and Canada are also getting valuable exposure against higher-ranked opposition.

    Cricket observers note that these matches, while not counted as official internationals, play a vital role in helping teams adjust to conditions, fine-tune strategies and manage player workloads ahead of a demanding tournament schedule.

     

    As the countdown to the T20 World Cup 2026 continues, the warm-up phase is offering fans an early taste of the competition, setting the stage for what is expected to be a closely contested global event across India and Sri Lanka.

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