India T20 World Cup Schedule

India’s defence of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 begins with a compact but demanding group-stage itinerary — four matches across three Indian cities and one marquee showdown in Colombo. Drawn in Group A alongside Pakistan, the USA, Namibia and the Netherlands, India start in Mumbai, travel to Delhi, fly to Sri Lanka for the high-stakes Pakistan clash, and then return home to close out the group in Ahmedabad.

India’s group-stage fixtures

7 February 2026 – India vs USA
Wankhede Stadium
A headline opening-night fixture at one of India’s most storied venues. The defending champions begin their campaign in front of a full house at the Wankhede against a USA side that famously upset Pakistan in 2024.

12 February 2026 – India vs Namibia
Arun Jaitley Stadium
The caravan moves north to Delhi. With the Pakistan encounter looming, this fixture offers India a chance to settle combinations and build momentum before the tournament’s most emotionally charged contest.

15 February 2026 – India vs Pakistan
R. Premadasa Stadium
The centrepiece of Group A. Scheduled in Sri Lanka under the neutral-venue arrangement for India-Pakistan matches, this clash is expected to be played in humid conditions, potentially on a slower surface. Beyond the points table, the result could influence the wider tournament narrative.

18 February 2026 – India vs Netherlands
Narendra Modi Stadium
India conclude their group campaign at the world’s largest cricket stadium. Depending on earlier outcomes, this match could determine Super Eight seeding — or present an opportunity to rotate and manage workloads ahead of the next phase.

India’s group schedule spans Mumbai, Delhi, Colombo and Ahmedabad within 12 days — a mix of travel and varying conditions.

Mumbai traditionally offers truer bounce, aiding stroke play while providing early swing with the new ball.
Delhi in mid-February can be cooler, with surfaces that sometimes slow down and reward cutters and spin.
Colombo often brings heavy evening dew, making the toss significant and reigniting the chase-versus-defend debate.
Ahmedabad’s expansive outfield introduces another tactical layer, particularly if net run rate becomes a factor.
Adjusting quickly to these contrasts could be as crucial as on-field form.
A top-two finish in Group A will send India into the Super Eight phase, scheduled from 21 February to 1 March. Under the ICC’s pre-seeding model, teams carry forward their slot into a fresh four-team pool, with fixtures already mapped across venues in India and Sri Lanka based on qualification scenarios.

The semifinals are slated for 4 and 5 March, to be staged in Mumbai, Kolkata or Colombo, depending on Pakistan’s progression. The final is officially set for 8 March in Ahmedabad, though it would shift to Colombo if Pakistan qualify, in line with existing tournament agreements.

On paper, the route is clearly laid out. In reality, its difficulty will be defined by how convincingly India negotiates their four group-stage hurdles in the opening fortnight.