New Delhi: A month-long cricket carnival is ready to mesmerise the global audience as the T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off in India and Sri Lanka on February 7, Saturday. While the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup is the largest ever, it is being staged amidst a politically charged atmosphere, with off-field drama grabbing the limelight in a chaotic buildup.
The T20 festival begins across three different venues in India and Sri Lanka on Saturday, and while all eyes will be on India, which will be in action in the third match of the day, the pre-tournament and pre-match talks have rarely about the tournament itself.
The Suryakumar Yadav-led defending champions Men In Blue and BCCI have been at the centre of everything ahead of what has been the most politicised cricket tournament with a deadly cocktail of politics and sport.
The 20-team tournament will not feature Bangladesh, who were in the original list of participants but was ousted after refusing to play in India because of alleged security concerns.
T20 World Cup 2026: Unprecedented political turmoil dominates pre-tournament narrative
Pakistan have refused to play against India as a gesture of support to them. Both Bangladesh and Pakistan have held India responsible for the chaotic situation, which began after Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was removed by Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL) from IPL 2026 on BCCI instructions.
With Pakistan deciding to forfeit the match against India on February 15, ICC and its broadcasters are staring at massive losses while Pakistan are running the risk of facing severe sanctions.
Tournament contenders: India’s dominance & global powers eyeing T20 World Cup glory
But if we keep all the drama aside, the on-ground action looks set to be dominated by India, who are a force to be reckoned with in the T20 format, as no team matches up to the two-time champions in terms of quality and performance.
Then, there is Australia, always formidable in ICC tournaments, but without the services of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, they will be there for the taking with an untested attack, comprising Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis, on the global stage.
Their batting line-up, though, has enough firepower to send shivers down the spine of the opponents. Travis Head, Josh Inglis, skipper Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, and Tim David all possess game-changing ability.
Two-time winners England are well stacked in batting with skipper Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, Ben Duckett and Phil Salt forming a dangerous line-up.
Last year’s finalists, South Africa, are also one of the strong candidates for making the semi-final. The Proteas enter the tournament with the second-best bowling attack after India, with Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, and Keshav Maharaj capable of challenging any batting line-up.
In batting, Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Ryan Rickleton and Tristan Stubbs have the ability to tear apart any bowling attack on their day.
Sri Lanka are always formidable in their own backyard and will look to capitalise on the home advantage. The likes of Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage and pacers Matheesha Pathirana, Dushmantha Chameera are handy in home conditions.
Two-time champions Indies, with their flair, enter the tournament with an outside chance of doing the impossible.
Among the associates, Nepal, Netherland and the USA are all capable of springing surprises.