Welcome to IPL Star, your go-to hub for all things cricket! As the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 kicks into high gear, the warm-up matches from February 2 to 6 are setting the stage for an unforgettable tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. These ICC T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches are more than just practice—they’re a sneak peek into team strategies, player form, and how squads adapt to tricky subcontinental conditions like spinning tracks in Chennai or bouncy pitches in Bengaluru. With defending champions India aiming to defend their crown on home soil, and surprises like Scotland stepping in for Bangladesh, these 16 fixtures are buzzing with excitement.
If you’re a cricket fan in Nagpur or anywhere else, you’ll love diving into this ultimate guide. We’ll break down the full schedule, latest results (as of early February 3, 2026), standout performances, venue breakdowns, and what it all means for the main event starting February 7. Expect high-scoring battles, spin wizardry, and pace attacks that could shape the tournament. Let’s get started—who’s your pick for the biggest breakout star?
Introduction: Why ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-up Matches Are a Must-Watch
The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive editions yet, with 20 teams battling across 55 matches from February 7 to March 8. But before the official action begins, the warm-up phase offers crucial preparation. These ICC T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches, running from February 2 to 6, involve 18 qualified teams plus India A and Sri Lanka A, allowing full squad rotation—up to 15 players can be tested, though only 11 bat or bowl at once.
Why do they matter? Subcontinental pitches vary wildly. Teams like Afghanistan, known for their spin, get to trial tactics on Chennai’s turning tracks, while power-hitters from West Indies or India aim for big scores on Mumbai’s flat decks. Plus, with Pakistan playing all games in Sri Lanka due to the neutral venue pact, their Colombo warm-ups are vital for adaptation.
This year’s twists add spice: Scotland replaced Bangladesh in Group C after security concerns led to withdrawal. Debutants Italy bring fresh energy, facing seasoned sides. England, Australia, and Sri Lanka skipped official warm-ups for bilateral prep—England just wrapped a 3-0 T20I sweep over Sri Lanka in Kandy.
As of February 3, 2026, Day 1 delivered fireworks: India A’s massive 238/3 against USA, Afghanistan’s dominant win over Scotland, and Italy’s upset over Canada. These games aren’t official T20Is, so no rankings impact, but they build momentum. Broadcast on Star Sports and streamed on JioHotstar in India, they’re easy to catch.
Drawing from sources like ESPNcricinfo and ICC’s official site, this guide pulls in real-time data. On X (formerly Twitter), fans are buzzing—posts highlight Jagadeesan’s century and Rasooli’s knock.
Over the next sections, we’ll dissect it all. Ready to explore how these ICC T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches could predict the champions?
Complete ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-up Schedule: Dates, Venues, Times & Key Matchups
The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up schedule features 16 matches spread across India and Sri Lanka, designed to mimic tournament conditions. Matches are slotted in three daily windows: around 1 PM, 3 PM, and 5-7 PM IST, allowing teams to test day and night scenarios. Venues include Bengaluru’s BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) for pace-friendly pitches, Chennai’s MA Chidambaram for spin tests, Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil for high-scoring games, and Colombo’s SSC and R Premadasa for humid, slower surfaces.
Here’s the full breakdown in tabular form for easy reference. Data sourced from Cricbuzz and BCCI.
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2 | Afghanistan vs Scotland | BCCI CoE Ground 1, Bengaluru | 3:00 PM | Afghanistan’s pace vs Scotland’s grit on bouncy track; tests spin for both. |
| Feb 2 | India A vs USA | DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai | 5:00 PM | India bench strength vs 2024 giant-killers USA; power-hitting preview. |
| Feb 2 | Canada vs Italy | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | 7:00 PM | Debutants Italy face Canada on spin-heavy pitch; associate nation clash. |
| Feb 3 | Sri Lanka A vs Oman | SSC Ground, Colombo | 1:00 PM | Hosts’ reserves vs Oman; spin adaptation in humidity. |
| Feb 3 | Netherlands vs Zimbabwe | R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 3:00 PM | Netherlands’ all-rounders vs Zimbabwe’s revival; balanced matchup. |
| Feb 3 | Nepal vs USA | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | 5:00 PM | Nepal’s spin wizards vs USA; dew factor in evening game. |
| Feb 4 | Namibia vs Scotland | BCCI CoE, Bengaluru | 1:00 PM | Namibia’s pace attack vs Scotland; early pace test. |
| Feb 4 | Afghanistan vs West Indies | BCCI CoE, Bengaluru | 3:00 PM | Afghanistan spin vs WI power; explosive batting duel. |
| Feb 4 | Ireland vs Pakistan | SSC Ground, Colombo | 5:00 PM | Pakistan’s “home” prep in Colombo; Ireland’s upset potential. |
| Feb 4 | India vs South Africa | DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai | 7:00 PM | 2024 final rematch; India’s aggression vs SA’s bowling. |
| Feb 5 | Oman vs Zimbabwe | SSC Ground, Colombo | 1:00 PM | Oman vs Zimbabwe; middle-order focus. |
| Feb 5 | Canada vs Nepal | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | 3:00 PM | Canada vs Nepal; spin battle on turning track. |
| Feb 5 | Australia vs Netherlands | R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 5:00 PM | Australia’s spin strategy vs Netherlands. |
| Feb 5 | New Zealand vs USA | DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai | 7:00 PM | NZ’s experience vs USA; Group D preview. |
| Feb 6 | Italy vs UAE | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | 3:00 PM | Debutants Italy vs UAE; associate showdown. |
| Feb 6 | India A vs Namibia | BCCI CoE, Bengaluru | 5:00 PM | India A vs Namibia; final bench test. |
These fixtures help teams fine-tune. For instance, Pakistan’s sole warm-up (vs Ireland) is in Colombo, mirroring their tournament setup. India’s only full-squad game is the SA rematch—expect Suryakumar Yadav to push for 60+ in the powerplay.
Broadcast details: In India, catch select ICC T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches on Star Sports; all stream on JioHotstar. Globally, check Willow TV or ICC’s platform.
Analyzing the schedule, Day 4 stands out with four games, including the India-SA blockbuster. Associates like Nepal and UAE get multiple hits, building confidence. As per Wikipedia’s tournament page, these warm-ups are key for acclimatization, especially with dew and heat playing roles.
How might this impact groups? Group A (India, Pakistan) could see early form indicators. Stay tuned—results from Feb 3 onward will add more layers.
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-up Matches Results & Standout Performances So Far
As of February 3, 2026 (6:21 AM IST), Day 1 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches delivered thrilling results. With Feb 2 games completed, we’ve seen batting dominance, spin mastery, and upsets. No points table exists since these aren’t official, but trends are emerging. Here’s a day-by-day wrap, with scorecards and stats in tables. Sourced from ICC videos and Sportstar.
Day 1: February 2, 2026 – Explosive Starts and Upsets
Three matches lit up the day, showcasing power batting and tight finishes.
Afghanistan vs Scotland (Bengaluru, 3:00 PM IST)
Afghanistan posted 184/6, thanks to Darwish Rasooli’s blistering 84 off 48 balls (including 7 fours and 5 sixes). Support came from Mohammad Ishaq (32) and Azmatullah Omarzai (28*). Scotland struggled against spin, bowled out for 123 in 19.3 overs. Naveen-ul-Haq took 3/18, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2/20.
| Team | Score | Key Batsmen | Key Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 184/6 (20 ov) | Darwish Rasooli 84 (48), Mohammad Ishaq 32 (25) | Naveen-ul-Haq 3/18, Mujeeb 2/20 |
| Scotland | 123 (19.3 ov) | George Munsey 45 (32), Michael Leask 28 (20) | Brad Currie 2/35, Chris Sole 1/28 |
Result: Afghanistan won by 61 runs. This boosts Afghanistan’s confidence for Group D against NZ and SA.
India A vs USA (Navi Mumbai, 5:00 PM IST)
India A smashed 238/3, led by Narayan Jagadeesan’s century (104 off 55, 10 fours, 4 sixes). Captain Ayush Badoni’s unbeaten 60* (26 balls, 5 sixes) and Tilak Varma’s 38 (24) added firepower. USA replied with 200 all out, Harmeet Singh 54 (30), Nitish Kumar 48 (28).
| Team | Score | Key Batsmen | Key Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|
| India A | 238/3 (20 ov) | N Jagadeesan 104 (55), Ayush Badoni 60* (26), Tilak Varma 38 (24) | Mayank Yadav 3/32, Arshdeep Singh 2/28 |
| USA | 200 (19.4 ov) | Harmeet Singh 54 (30), Nitish Kumar 48 (28) | Nosthush Kenjige 2/45, Saurabh Netravalkar 1/50 |
Result: India A won by 38 runs. Jagadeesan’s knock highlights India’s depth; USA’s fight shows their growth since 2024.
Canada vs Italy (Chennai, 7:00 PM IST)
Italy set 156/4, with JJ Smuts’ 49 (35) anchoring. Canada fell short at 146/6 despite Aaron Johnson’s 42 (28). Italy’s bowlers held nerve in the death.
| Team | Score | Key Batsmen | Key Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | 156/4 (20 ov) | JJ Smuts 49 (35), Gian-Piero Meade 38 (30) | Thomas Jack Draca 2/25, Stefano di Bartolomeo 1/20 |
| Canada | 146/6 (20 ov) | Aaron Johnson 42 (28), Nicholas Kirton 35 (26) | Kaleem Sana 2/30, Saad Bin Zafar 1/28 |
Result: Italy won by 10 runs. A huge morale boost for debutants Italy on a spinning Chennai pitch.
Emerging Trends from Results
- Batting Fireworks: High scores like 238/3 show powerplay aggression (India A hit 70+ in first 6).
- Spin Dominance: Mujeeb and others exploited conditions; expect more in main tournament.
- Associate Shine: Italy’s win and USA’s 200 chase prove underdogs can compete.
On X, fans praised Jagadeesan (@ImTanujSingh: “INDIA A POSTED 238/3”) and Rasooli. Top performers: Jagadeesan (104), Rasooli (84), Badoni (60*).
For Day 2 (Feb 3): Matches start at 1 PM—Sri Lanka A vs Oman, etc. Check Cricket World for live updates.
These results hint at form: India looks strong, Afghanistan lethal. What surprises await?
Team Preparations, Tactical Trends & Venue Guide for ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-ups
Teams are using these ICC T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches to sharpen edges. With full rotation allowed, captains like Suryakumar Yadav (India) experiment freely. Let’s explore preparations, trends, and venues.
Major Teams’ Focus Areas
India (Defending Champions): Under Suryakumar, focus on aggressive starts. Their SA warm-up (Feb 4) tests death bowling with Bumrah and Arshdeep. Bench like Jagadeesan shone in India A game—depth is key for Group A.
Pakistan: Limited to one warm-up (vs Ireland, Feb 4 in Colombo). Adapting to Sri Lankan pitches is crucial; expect spin twins Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim. Neutral venues mean no India travel.
Afghanistan: Strong start with Rasooli’s 84. Their WI matchup (Feb 4) hones pace (Fazalhaq Farooqi) vs power. Group D dark horses.
South Africa: Rematch with India (Feb 4) revives 2024 final memories. Kagiso Rabada’s reverse swing in heat will be tested.
Associates & Debutants: Italy’s win boosts confidence; Nepal (vs USA, Feb 3) relies on Sandeep Lamichhane’s spin. USA’s chase shows resilience for Group A.
From Yardbarker, teams prioritize spin for Chennai/Colombo.
Tactical Trends to Watch
- Spin Twins Strategy: Most squads trial two specialists (e.g., Kuldeep Yadav + Yuzvendra Chahal for India) plus all-rounders like Axar Patel.
- Powerplay Aggression: Targeting 60+ early, as India A did. Rohit Sharma’s influence lingers.
- Death Bowling Experiments: Reverse swing in afternoon games; pacers rotate for combos.
- Squad Rotation Benefits: Testing 15 players helps injury prep and form checks.
X posts (@CricFit) note “Total domination from India A”—trends like this could carry over.
Detailed Venue Guide
Venues replicate tournament spots. Here’s a table with insights:
| Venue | Location | Key Features | Matches Hosted | Tactical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCCI CoE Ground 1 | Bengaluru, India | Pace and bounce; good for fast bowlers | Feb 2 (AFG-SCO), Feb 4 (NAM-SCO, AFG-WI), Feb 6 (IND A-NAM) | Suits Afghanistan’s pace; tests batsmen’s technique. |
| DY Patil Sports Academy | Navi Mumbai, India | Large boundaries, sea breeze; high-scoring | Feb 2 (IND A-USA), Feb 4 (IND-SA), Feb 5 (NZ-USA) | Power-hitting paradise; dew in evenings. |
| MA Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai, India | Spin capital; dry, turning pitches | Feb 2 (CAN-ITA), Feb 3 (NEP-USA), Feb 5 (CAN-NEP), Feb 6 (ITA-UAE) | Ideal for spinners like Lamichhane; challenges debutants. |
| SSC Ground | Colombo, Sri Lanka | Humid, slow; favors spin and cutters | Feb 3 (SL A-OMAN), Feb 4 (IRE-PAK), Feb 5 (OMAN-ZIM) | Pakistan’s “home”; humidity affects stamina. |
| R Premadasa Stadium | Colombo, Sri Lanka | Slower surfaces; dew heavy | Feb 3 (NED-ZIM), Feb 5 (AUS-NED) | Tests death overs; similar to Pakistan’s group games. |
These spots prepare for main venues like Narendra Modi Stadium (final). Bengaluru’s bounce helped Afghanistan’s win; Chennai’s spin aided Italy’s defense.
ICC’s Day 1 wrap details adaptations.
How will tactics evolve? Spin could dominate, but pace surprises loom.
What the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-ups Tell Us About Contenders & Final Thoughts
As the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches unfold, early signs point to a thrilling tournament. Day 1 takeaways: India’s depth is unmatched, with Jagadeesan and Badoni signaling bench power. Afghanistan looks lethal, potentially upsetting Group D favorites like South Africa and New Zealand. Italy’s debut win marks them as spoilers, while USA’s chase shows associate progress.
Favorites like India (home advantage) and Australia (spin tweaks in their NED game) seem solid. Dark horses: Pakistan, adapting well in Colombo; West Indies, with power to exploit flat tracks. Debutants and associates could spring surprises, echoing USA’s 2024 run.
These warm-ups predict trends: Spin will rule knockouts, powerplays decide games, and adaptability wins. With the main event opener (Pakistan vs Netherlands, Feb 7 in Colombo) looming, plus blockbusters like India vs Pakistan (Feb 15), excitement builds.
For fans, follow on JioHotstar or Star Sports. Predict: Will India retain? Share in comments!
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FAQs for ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-up Matches
1. What is the full T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up schedule? The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches run from February 2 to February 6, 2026, featuring 16 fixtures across Bengaluru, Chennai, Navi Mumbai, and Colombo. Key games include India vs South Africa on February 4 at DY Patil Stadium (7:00 PM IST), Afghanistan vs West Indies on February 4, and Pakistan vs Ireland on February 4 in Colombo. The complete T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up schedule is available in a detailed table with dates, venues, times (IST), and tactical significance.
2. When do the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches start and end? The warm-up matches February 2026 begin on February 2 with Afghanistan vs Scotland, India A vs USA, and Canada vs Italy. They conclude on February 6 with Italy vs UAE and India A vs Namibia. These non-official practice games help teams acclimatize to subcontinental conditions ahead of the main tournament starting February 7.
3. How can I watch the T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches live? Select ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches are broadcast on Star Sports in India, with all games streamed live on JioHotstar. Globally, check Willow TV or the ICC platform. High-profile clashes like India vs South Africa warm-up 2026 are likely to get prime coverage.
4. What are the latest T20 WC 2026 warm-up results as of February 3, 2026? As of early February 3, Day 1 results include Afghanistan beating Scotland by 61 runs (Darwish Rasooli 84), India A defeating USA by 38 runs (Narayan Jagadeesan 104), and Italy upsetting Canada by 10 runs (JJ Smuts 49). These T20 WC 2026 warm-up results highlight batting firepower and spin dominance.
5. When is the India vs South Africa warm-up match in 2026? The marquee India vs South Africa warm-up 2026 is scheduled for February 4 at DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai, starting at 7:00 PM IST. This 2024 final rematch allows India to test aggressive powerplay plans under Suryakumar Yadav against South Africa’s strong bowling attack.
6. Which venues host the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up fixtures? Venues include BCCI Centre of Excellence (Bengaluru – pace and bounce), DY Patil Stadium (Navi Mumbai – high-scoring), MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai – spin-friendly), and SSC/R Premadasa Stadiums (Colombo – humid, slow tracks). These replicate main tournament conditions for better preparation.
7. Who were the standout performers in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches so far? Top performances include Narayan Jagadeesan’s 104 for India A vs USA, Darwish Rasooli’s 84 for Afghanistan vs Scotland, and Ayush Badoni’s unbeaten 60*. Bowling highlights feature Naveen-ul-Haq’s 3/18 and Mayank Yadav’s pace. These key performances in warm-up matches 2026 signal strong form.
8. Why are ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 practice matches important? These practice matches allow full squad rotation (up to 15 players), testing tactics on spin-heavy Chennai pitches, bouncy Bengaluru tracks, and humid Colombo surfaces. ICC T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches They help teams like Pakistan adapt to neutral venues and debutants like Italy build confidence ahead of the main event.
9. Which teams are playing multiple ICC T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches? Teams like Afghanistan, Scotland, Nepal, USA, Namibia, Oman, Zimbabwe, and Canada play multiple games. ICC T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches Powerhouses like India and Pakistan have fewer official warm-ups, relying on bench strength (India A) or bilateral prep.
10. What tactical trends emerged from the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches? Early trends show powerplay aggression (70+ runs common), spin dominance on turning tracks, and strong death bowling experiments. ICC T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches Associates like Italy and USA displayed resilience, while favorites tested spin twins and reverse swing strategies.