ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Underway: India Crush USA in Opener, Early Surprises Emerge

February 08, 2026

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 kicked off in spectacular fashion across India and Sri Lanka, with co-host India launching their title defense in dominant style by defeating the United States by 29 runs in Match 3 of Group A at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday. The tournament, running from February 7 to March 8, features 20 teams competing in 55 matches across eight venues in the two nations, marking the first time since 2012 that Sri Lanka has co-hosted a major ICC event.

Defending champions India set a competitive 161/9 after being sent in to bat, with half-centuries from Virat Kohli (62) and Suryakumar Yadav (51) anchoring the innings. The United States replied with 132/8, never truly threatening the target despite a spirited effort from opener Monank Patel (38). Jasprit Bumrah (3/18) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/22) starred with the ball as India began their campaign with a convincing victory.

Tournament Overview and Early Action

Co-hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Sri Lanka Cricket, the event spans iconic venues including Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai), Arun Jaitley Stadium (New Delhi) in India, and R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), Sinhalese Sports Club (Colombo), and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy) in Sri Lanka.

The tournament opened on February 7 with Pakistan defeating the Netherlands in Colombo, followed by West Indies overcoming Scotland in Kolkata. Sunday's action saw Afghanistan edge New Zealand in a tight Group D contest, while England comfortably beat Nepal in Mumbai.

Group A (India, Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, Namibia) and other pools have already produced competitive cricket, with several Associate nations showing they can challenge full members.

Key Storylines So Far

• India's Strong Start: Rohit Sharma's side looks in ominous form, with the batting depth and bowling attack clicking early.
• Pakistan's Position: After their opening win, Pakistan faces uncertainty over their India match scheduled for February 15 amid ongoing diplomatic and security discussions.
• Associate Nation Performances: USA, Nepal, and others have shown fight, though none have secured an upset yet.
• Venue Conditions: Early matches suggest good batting surfaces in India with some assistance for spinners, while Sri Lankan grounds have offered more seam movement under lights.

The Super 8 stage begins February 22, with the final set for March 8 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad (or Colombo if Pakistan qualifies).

Viewing and Global Interest

The tournament is broadcast worldwide through official ICC partners, with live streaming available on ICC.tv in many territories. India matches are carried on Star Sports and Disney+ Hotstar, while Sri Lankan games are shown on SLRC and various digital platforms.

As the group stage progresses, attention turns to blockbuster clashes including India vs Pakistan (if it proceeds), Australia vs England, and South Africa vs Afghanistan. With record participation and high stakes, the 2026 T20 World Cup is already delivering thrilling cricket and setting the stage for a potential classic finale in March. Fans worldwide can follow live scores, highlights, and analysis on the official ICC website and app.