The upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will begin on February 07 and be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with the defending champions featuring in their opening clash against the United States of America (USA) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, while their most mouth-watering fixture against the arch-rivals takes place at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Overall, the entire competition will be played around eight venues in India and Sri Lanka. Six of those will be in India, with the Wankhede Stadium hosting the second semifinal. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the final of the T20 World Cup 2026. However, all of these depend on Pakistan’s qualification to the knockout stage.

List of top cricket stadiums to watch out for in ICC T20 World Cup 2026

1.   Eden Gardens (Kolkata)

 One of the biggest sporting centers, Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, holds a very special place in the history of Indian cricket as it has a massive capacity of more than 66000 after it underwent renovation before the World Cup 2011. The track is considered to be batting-friendly with the short straight boundaries. However, the pacers have started to enjoy the venue’s pace and bounce.

Eden Gardens will host three games for Bangladesh against Italy, the West Indies, and England in the group stage event, while the England and Italy sides will also lock horns at this venue. India, if it qualifies, may feature in the Super 8 fixture of the T20 World Cup 2026.

2.   Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad)

The Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad has been rebuilt in the name of Narendra Modi Stadium. It now holds the massive attendance of over one lakh spectators in the stadium and also hosts all the premier clashes of the World Cup finals and the Indian Premier League (IPL) knockout encounters.

See Also: PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi appears to ICC over India’s rough behavior in U-19 Asia Cup 2025 final

After hosting seven games of the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025/26, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host some high-profile games of the T20 World Cup 2026. It will be among the two South Africa games against Afghanistan on February 11 and later against New Zealand on February 14. India will also face the Netherlands at this venue on February 18.

3.   MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai)

The ground is named after the former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Tamil Nadu Association, MA Chidambaram. Hosting various clashes, it always helps the spinners on its dry surfaces, while the dew becomes a massive factor in the fixture in the evening.

The most interesting clash of the T20 World Cup in Chennai will be between Afghanistan and New Zealand on February 08, while the latter will host the United Arab Emirates (UAE) two days later. The United States of America (USA) will participate in the clash against the Dutch, while New Zealand’s third clash will be against Canada on February 17.

4.   Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai)

Relatively younger than the old grounds like the MA Chidambaram Stadium and the Eden Gardens, the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is one of the most iconic stadiums for the T20 World Cup 2026. A dispute between the Cricket Club of India (CCI) and the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) led to the construction of Wankhede Stadium.

It will host the opening clash between India and the United States of America on February 07, while on the very next day, England will lock horns with Nepal. Three days later, the Harry Brook-led side will take on the West Indies. Another superb clash at this ground can be between the West Indies and Nepal on February 15.

5.   R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo)

One of the slowest surfaces in Sri Lanka belongs to the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, where the humidity becomes a massive factor in evening clashes to tackle the dew factor. It will host the most entertaining game of the T20 World Cup 2026 between India and Pakistan.

Apart from that, Australia will play two games on February 11 and 13 against Ireland and Zimbabwe, respectively, while Sri Lanka will face the Irish side on February 08. Three Super Eight clashes will also take place at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. 

Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium is expected to host the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) likely to announce the full schedule soon. As per The Indian Express, top BCCI officials held a meeting recently and decided that this time the World Cup will be played in fewer cities compared to the 2023 ODI World Cup. Each selected venue is likely to host around six matches to ensure better scheduling and management.

The BCCI has shortlisted five major Indian cities; Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai, for the men’s T20 World Cup. Apart from India, three stadiums in Sri Lanka will also host games, though the names of those venues are yet to be finalized. The joint hosting of the T20 World Cup marks a strong partnership between India and Sri Lanka in organizing global cricket tournaments.

There is still uncertainty over whether Bengaluru and Lucknow will be added as venues. The Indian board has already ruled out the grounds that hosted matches during the ICC Women’s 50-over World Cup, meaning Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, Indore, and Navi Mumbai will not be part of the 2026 tournament’s hosting lineup.

India-Pakistan and Semi-final Venue Decisions

The ICC noted that Sri Lanka will play in Colombo if the team qualifies for the semifinals. If Pakistan makes it to the final, it will be at a neutral venue. The Indian board also confirmed that the highly awaited game on the group-stage between India and Pakistan will be at Colombo, following a prior agreement between the BCCI and PCB.

See Also: [WATCH] 'How Does Lord Hanuman Help You?' - PM Modi asks Deepti Sharma about her tattoo during interaction with India’s World Cup-winning team

Both boards had agreed that India and Pakistan would not travel to each other’s countries for future tournaments, opting instead to play on neutral grounds. The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is expected to commence early in the year, and the BCCI has already submitted its proposed schedule to the global cricketing body for approval.

The low attendance of the fans during the opening Test of the two-match series against West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was a concern for the BCCI. Many reckoned that the opening day was empty, perhaps due to Dusshera, but the numbers didn’t rise for the rest of the contest.

The former Indian opening batter, Aakash Chopra, pointed out that the Ahmedabad stadium didn’t get filled like the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur was filled for the unofficial ODI between India A and Australia A. Chopra suggested that the board should host more pink-ball games and use the smaller cities like Indore, Guwahati, and Ranchi.

See Also: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to retire from ODIs? Sunil Gavaskar drops bombshell statement ahead of Australia ODIs

“Take Test matches to smaller centers. If you don't want a tier system, that's fine, but if it is important, go to smaller centers. Play in Guwahati, Ranchi, or Indore, and the stadium will be full. Or play a pink-ball Test, as it will add some excitement because, in this form and shape, it is not about the love for the game.” Chopra expressed during a recent Instagram video.

Aakash Chopra suggests pink-ball Tests' increment for better crowd attendance in Tests

Aakash Chopra highlighted that because Ahmedabad always hosts high-profile games like the World Cup final or the IPL final, the fans were not interested in coming to the ground to see the West Indies, who are no longer a strong side in the longest format.

“People are coming to watch matches; they came to Kanpur for India A's match, they came to Delhi for a Ranji Trophy match, so they will come here too. But the chances of people coming to watch in Ahmedabad, no, there are multiple reasons. The gap between India and the West Indies is very big. Coming to watch the West Indies play seems like a laborious task. The other thing, look at the size of the stadium.” The former opener addressed.

“It has a capacity of 1,32,000. So, even if 10-15 thousand fans come, it still looks empty. Ahmedabad hosts so many big-ticket matches like the IPL final and the World Cup final, and whatnot. So, there isn't any appetite for a low-key contest like this.” Aakash Chopra concluded.

After a tough 2-2 series in England, India are back home to continue their ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 campaign. Shubman Gill will lead a young Indian side in a two-Test series against the West Indies, starting in Ahmedabad on Thursday (October 2).

This series is a big chance for the team to settle and grow after the retirements of legends like Ravichandran Ashwin, Virat Kohli, and former captain Rohit Sharma. It’s also India’s first home series since the disappointing 3-0 loss to New Zealand last November. Gill and his players will now look to start fresh and build their own strong record at home, just like the teams before them.

Pitch Report – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

The red-soil pitch in Ahmedabad is expected to have a healthy green cover. The curator has left grass that will likely be trimmed to about 4–5mm before the toss. Fast bowlers should find help early on with seam movement and bounce from the new ball. As the game progresses, the surface may wear down, giving spinners more of a role.

ALSO READ: Ravichandran Ashwin goes unsold in ILT20 auction despite $120,000 base price

India vs West Indies 1st Test – Match Details

How to Watch India vs West Indies 1st Test in India

After the end of the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, the focus will shift to the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, which, according to the reports, is expected to be played between February 07 and March 08. The event will be co-hosted, as Pakistan will play all of its clashes in Sri Lanka due to the mutual agreement between the two countries on the political relationships.

The games will be played in at least five venues in India and two in Sri Lanka. The final is expected to be hosted by the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad unless Pakistan qualifies for the round. India and Pakistan are likely to meet each other in Colombo as the ICC is still trying to finalize the potential schedule for the competition.

See Also: [WATCH] 'Could have disrespected...'- Dhanashree Verma criticizes Yuzvendra Chahal on divorce case

India, which won the last edition under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, will look to defend their title. It will also be the first ICC event in a decade that the Blue Brigade will play without Rohit and Virat Kohli, both of whom retired from the shortest format after the final in Barbados.

T20 World Cup 2026 likely to take place between February 07 and March 08

The format will be the same as the last edition in the West Indies and the USA, where 20 sides were divided into four groups of five each, with the top two from each group qualifying to the Super Eight stage, where once again the eight sides were divided into two groups of four. The two top sides from both groups will progress to the semis.

At present, 15 teams have already been confirmed for the event, including the two co-hosts, Pakistan, Australia, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, USA, West Indies, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, Netherlands, and Italy, who have made their first qualification for a World Cup.

India will feel the pressure with arrangements on the dates and venues for the upcoming Women’s Premier League. The BCCI has earmarked a window between early January and early February before they look to host the IPL, with the tentative window between March 15 and May 31. They will also host the Kiwis for ODIs and T20Is from January 11 to 31.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stars went wild celebrating their historic win in the Indian Premier League (IPL), igniting social media posts. The players all returned from Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, led by skipper Rajat Patidar and backed by icon Virat Kohli, to their hotel in very high spirits. Video footage of the arriving players showed them dancing to everyone's excitement, with Kohli, Krunal Pandya, Patidar, and the vice-captain Jitesh Sharma joining the festivities.

Though Kohli kept his dance moves minimal, it was Patidar who stole the show in the lively dancing, appearing to fully enjoy their historic win. RCB won the IPL title for the first time in franchise history with a thrilling six-wicket win over the Punjab Kings (PBKS), and after an 18-year wait, Kohli finally captured his first IPL title. After a competent performance from the spinners and standout death bowling, RCB wrapped it up despite a battling performance from Shashank Singh, who was unbeaten on 61.

In an emotional post-match interview, Kohli dedicated the win to RCB's loyal fanbase and reflected on his long journey. “It’s been 18 long years. I’ve given this team my youth, prime, and experience. Every season I tried to win it and gave it my all. To finally have it—it’s an unbelievable feeling,” he said, visibly moved.

Tribute to AB de Villiers

Kohli paid a heartfelt tribute to his ex-teammate AB de Villiers and the huge impact he made on the franchise. “What ABD has done for the franchise is incredible. I told him, ‘this win is as much yours as it is ours.’ Even in retirement, he still remains one of the most effective players in our history,” Kohli said.

Watch the video here

Entry but make it BOLD. ❤️‍🔥 pic.twitter.com/JihkcQCJXO

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) June 4, 2025

Also Read: WATCH: RCB skipper Rajat Patidar speaking 'Ee Sala Cup Namdu' after winning their Maiden IPL title

De Villiers is still RCB’s second-highest run-scorer with 4,522 runs in 157 matches, averaging 41.10 and a strike rate of 158.33. He has scored 2 hundreds and 37 fifties, and his legacy lives on and continues to inspire the team and fans.

After 18 seasons of heartbreak, suspense, and unrelenting faith, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at last captured their very first IPL trophy. In a high-voltage final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, RCB overcame Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs to earn their place in the league's history books. The much-awaited victory placed RCB supporters in a tizzy as the iconic chant "Ee Sala Cup Namdu"—essentially "This year, the cup is ours"—echoed through stands and social media.

The road to this achievement was laid out with close calls and emotional reverses. RCB has had strong teams and mythic players over the years, but that elusive title always seemed to elude them—until now. Tuesday night’s victory was not just about the win; it was about validation, redemption, and fulfilling the dreams of a loyal fanbase that never stopped believing. It marked the ultimate reward for a franchise that has carried the weight of expectations for nearly two decades.

In the final, PBKS won the toss and chose to bowl, which on paper looked like a smart decision as they held RCB to 190 for 9. Virat Kohli scored the top score with a well-timed 43 off 35 balls, and Rajat Patidar added a rapid 26. In spite of a late burst of wickets—that included three off Arshdeep Singh in the last over—RCB managed to put up a fighting total. In response, Punjab Kings battled valiantly but collapsed under pressure, scoring just 184/7 as RCB's bowlers showed nerves of steel.

RCB's Bowlers Hold Firm in Final Moments

Krunal Pandya was RCB's ball hero, posting a masterful spell of 2 for 17 from his four overs and snuffing out PBKS's middle-order pace. His mastery and variations in the middle overs proved to be crucial in mounting pressure, enabling RCB's pacers to finish the game in the death.

Watch the video here

Moments he will never forget 🏆
Moments they will never forget 🤩

🎥 Virat Kohli 🤝 The #RCB faithful ❤#TATAIPL | #RCBvPBKS | #Final | #TheLastMile | @RCBTweets | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/ObyJxRI0C0

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) June 3, 2025

Also Read: IPL 2025 Awards: MVP, Best Bowler, Best Catch & More

For PBKS, the chase was missing a conclusive finisher in the face of a good beginning. Though Arshdeep Singh and Kyle Jamieson impressed with the ball, it was not sufficient to counter RCB's defensive solidity. As Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar held the trophy aloft, the "Ee Sala Cup Namdu" slogans did not just echo as an overused slogan but also as a declaration of satisfaction for millions of fans all over the world.

In a pulsating IPL 2025 Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) edged past Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 6 runs to clinch their maiden IPL title. The match was a rollercoaster, filled with emotional highs and moments of brilliance from both sides. Here's how the players and coaches reacted to the unforgettable night:

Rajat Patidar (RCB Captain)

“This is really special — for me, for Virat, and for all the RCB fans. They’ve stood by us through thick and thin. 190 was a strong total on this pitch, and our bowlers executed beautifully.

I have immense faith in Krunal — he's my go-to man under pressure. The pacers — Bhuvi, Hazlewood, Dayal, and Romario — all stepped up when it mattered most.

Leading RCB with Kohli playing under me is a dream. He deserves this more than anyone. This win is for him and every RCB fan.

One line for the fans — EE SALA CUP NAMDU!”

Shreyas Iyer (PBKS Captain)

“We are dejected, yes — but proud. We restricted RCB to 190, which was below par in our eyes. Our bowlers tried hard, especially Krunal. But hats off to RCB; they held their nerves.

I'm very proud of our youngsters. This experience will serve them well. The goal now is to come back stronger and lift the trophy next year.

We’ve built a core here — one full of heart, hunger, and belief. This campaign has shown that we can compete with the best, and I truly believe this is just the beginning of a new era for PBKS.

The support from the owners, coaches, and fans has been phenomenal. They believed in us even when we were written off, and that belief carried us through tight matches all season.

There are plenty of positives — our fearlessness, the emergence of young talent, and our ability to handle pressure. This final was painful, but it’s also fuel. We’re coming back hungrier, stronger, and with unfinished business.”

Virat Kohli

“18 long years. I’ve given my everything to this team — my youth, my prime. I dreamt of this day, and finally, it’s here.

AB de Villiers deserves this too. He’s been an integral part of this journey.

This is one of the biggest moments of my life. I stayed loyal to this team, and I’ll retire with this badge. Tonight, I’ll sleep like a baby.”

Krunal Pandya (Player of the Final)

“I observed from the dugout that bowling slower was the key. You need guts in this format — I just backed myself to vary pace and stay brave.

I told Hardik, there’ll be nine trophies in the Pandya household — now it’s true! Manifested this on day one with RCB.”

Josh Hazlewood

“Winning this with RCB means everything. We've fought for this for years. You only improve in pressure situations like these — and we did.”

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

“We knew 180 was defendable on this pitch, and getting 190 was a bonus. Everyone executed slower balls perfectly — Krunal’s spell turned the match.”

Also Read: Top 3 reasons why Punjab Kings Lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025 Qualifier 1

Dinesh Karthik (Mentor, RCB)

“This title belongs to every RCB fan, player, and staff member. Kohli, ABD, and Gayle — they laid the foundation. Andy Flower’s vision and planning were spot-on.”

Andy Flower (RCB Head Coach)

[Received the Winners’ Trophy on behalf of RCB]
“This is a reward for discipline, belief, and vision. The boys delivered when it mattered most.”

Shashank Singh (PBKS)

*Played a valiant knock of 61 off 30.*
“We came so close. It hurts to fall short, but I'm proud of the fight. We’ll take this experience and return stronger.”

Phil Salt

“This is unreal. So proud of the boys. Becoming a father this season brought us luck. Thanks to the amazing fanbase.”

Jitesh Sharma

“I’m so happy for Virat bhai. 18 years of effort finally paid off. You do something extraordinary for others — magic happens.”

Mayank Agarwal

“Life is unpredictable. Stick with it, keep grinding — and you’ll get your moment. RCB’s journey is proof.”

In an exciting IPL 2025 Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on June 1, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) narrowly defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 6 runs to deny PBKS their maiden IPL title after years of disappointment.

RCB managed to set a competitive score of 190/9, with Virat Kohli turning in the best performance for RCB with 43 off 35, followed by Rajat Patidar (26 off 16) and Liam Livingstone (25 off 15). PBKS picked up wickets with bowlers Arshdeep Singh (3/40) and Kyle Jamieson (3/48) while conceding runs at crucial times, although Vyshak Vijay Kumar bowled tightly for 1/30.

In pursuit of 191 runs, PBKS put up a fight, finishing on 184/7. Shashank Singh’s 61 off 30 balls at the end gave PBKS hope with contributions from Josh Inglis (39) and Prabhsimran Singh (26). RCB bowlers kept their composure with Krunal Pandya's great economical bowling (2/17), Bhuvneshwar Kumar's (2/38), and Yash Dayal’s (1/18 in 3 overs) fast and tight death bowling. Dayal’s penultimate over changed the course of the match and ultimately led RCB to lift the IPL trophy with all-round performances, which gave the lossless team a historic journey and fulfilled their long-waiting fan base’s dreams. Here are the key reasons that PBKS lost to RCB.

1. Lack of Support for Shashank Singh’s Heroics

From 61*, Shashank Singh scored a brilliant knock off in only 30 balls, but there was no support from the rest of the PBKS batting order. Josh Inglis (39) and Prabhsimran Singh (26) had starts, but the middle and death order lacked the finishing ability. Key elements of the collapse were the lack of stable partnerships and the failure to rotate the strike for long periods, which affected PBKS's reply, forcing pressure on them, and ultimately they fell 6 runs short of an achievable chase.

Also Read: WATCH: RCB skipper Rajat Patidar speaking 'Ee Sala Cup Namdu' after winning their Maiden IPL title

2. Costly Bowling by Key Pacers

While taking wickets, pace bowlers Arshdeep Singh (3/40) and Kyle Jamieson (3/48) were expensive at key times for PBKS. Their inability to slow the opposition down led to PBKS conceding a very respectable 190, particularly at the end of the innings (38 runs off the last 2 overs). A failure to bowl tidy death overs undid their hard work during the earlier periods of their innings and led to RCB attacking freely.

3. No Major Wickets at the Right Time

PBKS failed to get key partnerships when necessary. Virat Kohli's 43 helped to build the foundation for RCB's inning, and PBKS did not provide him early, resulting in a steady contribution from both Patidar and Livingstone, which allowed RCB to control the run rate. In the middle overs, Punjab lacked penetration with the ball, and in a tight final like this, they would regret that.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) broke their 18-year title drought in 2025 when they won their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL), defeating Punjab Kings in a thrilling final by a margin of six runs. The match, held on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, ushered in a new chapter in RCB's history. Amid the wild celebrations, one moment stood out—RCB skipper Rajat Patidar passionately declaring, “Ee Sala Cup Namdu,” a phrase that has long echoed through the hearts of RCB fans.

In a lot of ways, the iconic Kannada slogan, which translates to "This time, the cup is ours," has been both a blessing and a curse for RCB fans over the years. After witnessing so many near misses, Patidar shouting out "Ee Sala Cup Namdu" in elation following the final win re-awakened a river of emotions from the fans. The phrase, which was once out of reach of the fans, was now validated. For the first time, it was no longer just a battle cry but reality. 

Rajat Patidar, who led the team with a cool head and vision all season long, was excellent in the final as captain and with the bat. Indeed, leadership - along with strong senior executive performances from Virat Kohli and others - enabled RCB to manufacture 190 runs in the first innings and successfully defend that total. When Patidar shouted the famous phrase on live television, it was a sequence of emotions for a fanbase that had waited nearly twenty years for the magical moment when they could be champions. 

Watch the video here

Ee sala cup namdu🔥.... The Rajaaaat king🔥 pic.twitter.com/fcWlgCSIUN

— 🦅STEYN🧡 (@SrhSteyn) June 3, 2025

Also Read: [WATCH] RCB vs PBKS: Virat Kohli signs the camera after winning IPL 2025 Final

A New Era Begins for RCB

With a thrust of that emphatic declaration, Patidar not only celebrated a victory; he made a 10-year dream into a celebratory proclamation of confidence. A slogan that represented unfulfilled promise is now a new era for RCB. Within minutes after the confused firework display in Ahmedabad, fans across the globe finally heard the words they were consistently hoping to hear—"Ee Sala Cup Namdu" is no longer a dream, but it is history.