India Begin T20 World Cup 2026 Preparation with Warm-Up Match Against South Africa

The Indian team will conclude the T20 series with New Zealand with the final game in Thiruvananthapuram on January 31. A few days later, the squad members will reassemble in Mumbai for their preparation camp ahead of the T20 World Cup. The opening World Cup encounter of India is scheduled for February 7 at Wankhede Stadium. The only practice match, prior to the start of the event, will be played against South Africa on February 4 at DY Patil Stadium. The players will depart Thiruvananthapuram on February 1st and report to the Indian team management on February 3.

The ICC has not yet announced the schedule for the warm-up matches before the tournament. However, according to Cricbuzz, Suryakumar Yadav’s team is expected to play against Aiden Markram’s team in a practice game. 

India to start World Cup prep with practice match vs South Africa

As of Sunday, that indeed appears to be the plan, and it should be so, unless there are unexpected changes resulting from the disturbance of the plans owing to Bangladesh’s pull-out in the 20-team tournament.

Sources in BCCI and CSS also acknowledged it but declined to state so, as of yet, as it has not been made official in the first instance by ICC. The reason behind the delay in announcing the schedule of the warm-up matches is that of confusion over the Bangladeshi team’s inclusion in the World Cup tournament.

As theicc has officially declared that they would replace Bangladesh byScotland, it is expected that the announcement of the schedule of the warm-up matches would take place on Monday, and hence there would be no change in the schedule of the match involvingIndiaandSouthAfrica. India are in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, the Netherlands, the United States and Namibia. South Africa, runners-up last time, are in Group D with Canada, Afghanistan, New Zealand and UAE. They play their first game, against Canada, at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 9.

×

MI-W VS RCB-W 16th T20 WPL 2026: Where to Watch Mumbai Indians Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women, H2H, Playing 11 & Full Match Details The 16th match of the WPL 2026 will play between Mumbai Indians Women will face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women on Monday, 26th January at 7:30 PM.

by Dwijesh January 25, 2026