ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Kicks Off with a Triple-Header of Cricket Action
The much-anticipated ICC T20 World Cup 2026 officially begins today, marking the start of a global cricket spectacle that will captivate fans worldwide. The tournament launches with a thrilling triple-header, featuring three back-to-back matches across iconic venues in India and Sri Lanka. This opening day promises high-octane cricket as teams from diverse cricketing backgrounds clash in the shortest format of the game.
Today's ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Match Schedule and Venues
The opening day is packed with action, starting early and running late into the evening. Here is the complete schedule for today's matches:
- Pakistan vs Netherlands: The tournament curtain-raiser will see Pakistan take on the Netherlands. This match is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM and will be held at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Pakistan, led by Salman Ali Agha, will look to start their campaign on a winning note against the Dutch side captained by Scott Edwards.
- West Indies vs Scotland: The second match of the day features the West Indies, under the leadership of Shai Hope, squaring off against Scotland, captained by Richie Berrington. This encounter is set for 3:00 PM at the legendary Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata, India. Both teams will be eager to secure early points in the group stage.
- India vs USA: The hosts India, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, will face the United States of America in the final match of the day. This Group A clash is slated for 7:00 PM at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India. Monank Patel leads the USA squad in what promises to be a historic match for American cricket.
Where to Watch ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Live
Cricket enthusiasts can catch all the live action of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 through multiple platforms. The official broadcast partner for the tournament in India and several other regions is the Star Sports network. For viewers preferring digital streaming, live coverage will be available on the Jio+ Hotstar app, ensuring fans can watch the matches on-the-go or from the comfort of their homes.
Complete Squad Lists for Today's Matches
Here are the full squads for all six teams competing on the opening day of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026:
- India Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (Vice-Captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj.
- USA Squad: Monank Patel (Captain), Jessy Singh, Andries Gous, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamala, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Mohammad Mohsin, Shubham Ranjane.
- Pakistan Squad: Salman Ali Agha (Captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.
- Netherlands Squad: Scott Edwards (Captain), Colin Ackermann, Noah Croes, Bas de Leede, Aryan Dutt, Fred Klaassen, Kyle Klein, Michael Levitt, Zach Lion-Cachet, Max O'Dowd, Logan van Beek, Timm van der Gugten, Roelof van der Merwe, Paul van Meekeren, Saqib Zulfiqar.
- West Indies Squad: Shai Hope (Captain), Shimron Hetmyer, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd.
- Scotland Squad: Richie Berrington (Captain), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross, Bradley Currie, Oliver Davidson, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Bradley Wheal. Travelling reserves: Jasper Davidson, Jack Jarvis. Non-travelling reserves: Mackenzie Jones, Chris McBride, Charlie Tear.
The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is set to deliver a month of exhilarating cricket, with today's matches laying the foundation for what promises to be a fiercely competitive tournament. Fans across the globe are tuning in to witness the drama, skill, and passion that define this premier international cricket event.
