KEY POINTS
- India is ramping up with a 10-match schedule.
- Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe have no T20I matches planned.
- South Africa has one of the busiest schedules, with T20I series against India and West Indies.
- Sri Lanka will play 6 T20Is, including series against Pakistan and England.
ISLAMABAD: As the clock ticks down with less than two months remaining in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, the defending champion India is ramping up their training with a demanding schedule, while other teams are opting for a more laid-back approach, playing only a handful, or even no, T20I matches before the big event.
WE News English takes a closer look at how each World Cup-bound team is preparing and how many T20Is they’ll play before the global clash.
India: Heavy Preparation Schedule
India, fresh off their triumph in the 2021 T20 World Cup, is leaving no stone unturned in their quest to defend their title in 2026.
The team has mapped out a comprehensive preparation program with an ambitious 10-match series scheduled on their home turf.
- Five T20Is vs South Africa in December 2025 (ongoing)
- Five T20Is vs New Zealand in January 2026
This hefty workload in December and January gives India plenty of match practice, allowing them to fine-tune their squad and sharpen their skills under home conditions.
India’s commitment to preparation contrasts sharply with some other teams who have far fewer matches lined up before the World Cup.
Australia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe
Interestingly, some major teams are opting for a quieter lead-up to the World Cup. These nations will not play any T20Is in the lead-up to the competition:
Afghanistan has no T20Is before the World Cup, with the team focusing on other aspects of their game.
Australia is also refraining from any T20I fixtures, keeping their preparations low-key and possibly focusing on domestic competitions or other formats.
Bangladesh is in the same boat, with no T20Is scheduled before the World Cup.
Zimbabwe, too, has chosen not to play T20Is before the tournament, possibly focusing on their squad’s fitness and other formats instead.
These decisions could reflect strategic choices based on team dynamics, internal assessments, or confidence in their preparations over the past year.
England: Three T20Is Against Sri Lanka
England has a limited but valuable series scheduled before the World Cup. They will play three T20Is against Sri Lanka in January and February 2026.
This series, which will be played away, will serve as England’s main match preparation, allowing them to gauge their form and adapt to conditions in the lead-up to the tournament.
New Zealand: One Series Before World Cup
New Zealand, a consistent performer in the shortest format, will play five T20Is against India away in January 2026.
This series will be crucial for New Zealand to test their squad against top-tier opposition and gain momentum before the World Cup begins.
Pakistan: T20I Series Against Sri Lanka
Pakistan will be involved in a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka in January 2026.
These matches, away from home, will give the team a chance to test their strategies against a strong opposition and refine their game plan ahead of the World Cup.
South Africa: Intense Preparation
South Africa has one of the busiest schedules leading into the World Cup. They are slated to play:
- Five T20Is against India in December 2025.
- Three T20Is against West Indies in January-February 2026.
This gives South Africa significant time to test their squad combinations, sharpen their skills, and adapt to different conditions in preparation for the competition.
Sri Lanka: Home Advantage
Sri Lanka, the host nation of several warm-up events, will be playing a significant number of T20Is in preparation. They are scheduled to play:
- Three T20Is against Pakistan in January 2026
- Three T20Is against England in January-February 2026
This gives Sri Lanka an excellent opportunity to fine-tune their squad at home, gaining valuable match experience against high-quality teams.
West Indies: Short but Crucial Series
West Indies will play three T20Is against South Africa at home in January-February 2026.
With limited preparation time, these matches are expected to be vital for the West Indies as they look to test their team combination and form before the World Cup.
Preparation Summary
Here’s a quick breakdown of how each team is preparing:
- India: 10 T20Is (South Africa and New Zealand)
- South Africa: 8 T20Is (India and West Indies)
- Sri Lanka: 6 T20Is (Pakistan and England)
- England: 3 T20Is (Sri Lanka)
- New Zealand: 5 T20Is (India)
- Pakistan: 3 T20Is (Sri Lanka)
- West Indies: 3 T20Is (South Africa)
- Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe: No T20Is before the World Cup.
The 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup will see India grouped with Pakistan, while Sri Lanka will be with Australia and Ireland, England with West Indies and Bangladesh, and New Zealand with Afghanistan and South Africa.
The tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, starts on February 7 and ends on March 8, with the high-profile India-Pakistan match scheduled for February 15 in Colombo.
The first-round groups are as follows:
- Group A: India, Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, Namibia
- Group B: Sri Lanka, Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Oman
- Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, Italy
- Group D: New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE
The final will be held in either Ahmedabad or Colombo on March 8, with semi-finals in Kolkata and Mumbai on March 4 and 5. If Pakistan qualifies, the final and semis will be played in Colombo.
