The shortest and most electrifying format of the game returns to the international spotlight as the upcoming ICC T20 Cricket World Cup ignites excitement across the globe. Bringing together the world’s top cricketing nations, the 2026 edition of the ICC T20 World Cup promises fast paced action, dramatic finishes and unforgettable moments. With every over and every performance carrying the potential to shift the momentum of the game, 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup will have 20 teams competing in 55 matches across five venues in India and three in Sri Lanka. The 2026 world cup is being co-hosted by the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and Sri Lanka Cricket and will take place from 7 February to 8 March 2026.
Last year in November, the apex cricketing body, ICC announced the groups and fixtures for the tournament. The 20 teams have been divided into four groups of five with each team facing the other teams in the group between Feb 7 and Feb 20, after which the qualifying teams would proceed to Super 8 group to compete for a place in the semi finals. The group stage will feature a total of 40 matches, opening with Netherlands and Pakistan playing each other at the SSC Cricket Ground on 7 February.
One of the most iconic rivalries of international cricket, the India versus Pakistan World Cup 2026 match is scheduled to take place on Feb 15 (Thursday) at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. India and Pakistan have played each other eight times in ICC Twenty-Twenty World Cups with India maintaining the lead with 7-1. The last time India versus Pakistan World Cup match took place was in 2024 in ICC Men's T20 World Cup held in the USA, where India emerged victorious in a high intensity match. The India vs Pakistan World Cup match is one of the most watched sporting events across the world. The Indian Cricket Team will be led by Suryakumar Yadav and the Pakistan Cricket Team will be led by Salman Agha in the much awaited India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup Match 2026. CU Students and star Indian cricketers, Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav are also a part of the Indian squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Ranked as India’s top ranked private university for three consecutive years by QS, Chandigarh University has been preparing students for the biggest stages in academics, research, innovation or sports. Over the years, CU students and athletes have represented the university and the country on the biggest of stages, including Olympics, Paralympics, Cricket World Cup, Hockey Asia Cup, World Wrestling championships and many more.
Part of India’s 2024 T20 World Cup winning squad, CU students Arshdeep Singh (MBA) and Kuldeep Yadav (B.Com) have once again earned the honour to represent India at the World Cup. Arshdeep, renowned for his left arm pace bowling, and Kuldeep, renowned left-arm unorthodox spinner, will play key roles in India’s campaign for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.




| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
|
Feb 7 |
Netherlands v Pakistan |
SSC Cricket Ground, Colombo |
|
Feb 7 |
India v USA |
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
|
Feb 10 |
Namibia v Netherlands |
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
|
Feb 10 |
Pakistan v United States |
SSC Cricket Ground, Colombo |
|
Feb 12 |
India v Namibia |
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
|
Feb 13 |
Netherlands v United States |
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
|
Feb 15 |
Namibia v United States |
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
|
Feb 15 |
India v Pakistan |
R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
|
Feb 18 |
Namibia v Pakistan |
SSC Cricket Ground, Colombo |
|
Feb 18 |
India v Netherlands |
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
|
Feb 8 |
Sri Lanka v Ireland |
R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
|
Feb 9 |
Oman v Zimbabwe |
SSC Cricket Ground, Colombo |
|
Feb 11 |
Australia v Ireland |
R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
|
Feb 12 |
Sri Lanka v Oman |
SSC Cricket Ground, Colombo |
|
Feb 13 |
Australia v Zimbabwe |
R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
|
Feb 14 |
Ireland v Oman |
SSC Cricket Ground, Colombo |
|
Feb 16 |
Sri Lanka v Australia |
Pallekele Cricket Stadium, Kandy |
|
Feb 17 |
Ireland v Zimbabwe |
Pallekele Cricket Stadium, Kandy |
|
Feb 19 |
Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe |
R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
|
Feb 20 |
Australia v Oman |
Pallekele Cricket Stadium, Kandy |
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
|
Feb 7 |
Scotland v West Indies |
Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
|
Feb 8 |
England v Nepal |
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
|
Feb 9 |
Italy v Scotland |
Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
|
Feb 11 |
England v West Indies |
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
|
Feb 12 |
Italy v Nepal |
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
|
Feb 14 |
England v Scotland |
Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
|
Feb 15 |
Nepal v West Indies |
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
|
Feb 16 |
England v Italy |
Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
|
Feb 17 |
Nepal v Scotland |
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
|
Feb 19 |
Italy v West Indies |
Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
|
Feb 7 |
Netherlands v Pakistan |
SSC Cricket Ground, Colombo |
|
Feb 8 |
Afghanistan v New Zealand |
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
|
Feb 9 |
Canada v South Africa |
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
|
Feb 10 |
New Zealand v UAE |
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
|
Feb 11 |
Afghanistan v South Africa |
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
|
Feb 13 |
Canada v UAE |
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
|
Feb 14 |
New Zealand v South Africa |
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
|
Feb 16 |
Afghanistan v UAE |
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
|
Feb 17 |
Canada v New Zealand |
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
|
Feb 18 |
South Africa v UAE |
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
|
Feb 19 |
Afghanistan v Canada |
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
The defending champions of the Twenty-twenty cricket format, the Indian Cricket team will be going up against the best cricket teams in the world to retain their world championship title in 2026. The two-time champions will not see the likes of cricketing greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma playing in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup. The men in blue will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, however, we will not see India’s captain in ODI and Tests, Shubhman Gill playing the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The Indian squad for for ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 includes : Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.