The T20 World Cup is getting closer, and the excitement is high. India, the defending champions, will host the tournament next year along with Sri Lanka. This has increased the anticipation even more.

According to reports, the 2026 T20 World Cup will feature 20 teams and take place from Saturday, February 7, to Sunday, March 8. All participating teams have been confirmed, including co-hosts India and Sri Lanka. Italy will make their debut in this edition.

India entered the tournament as the defending champions after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the Men in Blue ended a 17-year wait to lift the trophy. Before the T20 World Cup, India will play a T20I series against New Zealand, their final series before the major event.

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“With only 10 T20Is left before the T20 World Cup, you will not see many changes in the main squad unless someone is ruled out due to injury," a source recently told the BCCI.

India will play five T20Is against New Zealand in Nagpur (January 21), Raipur (January 23), Guwahati (January 25), Vizag (January 28), and Trivandrum (January 31).

The upcoming T20I series against South Africa will be the final chance for Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav to check a few players before the New Zealand series. This New Zealand series will work as a dress rehearsal ahead of the T20 World Cup. All eyes will be on the India vs Pakistan match, as both teams are likely to be placed in the same group despite political tensions.

T20 World Cup Schedule Announcement

The ICC has confirmed that the 2026 T20 World Cup schedule will be announced with the BCCI on Tuesday, November 25, in Mumbai. The event will start at 6:30 PM IST and will be attended by ICC Chairman Jay Shah.

Where to Watch the Announcement

The full schedule announcement will be live-streamed on JioHotstar.