New Delhi: Head coach Gautam Gambhir offered prayers at the iconic Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai ahead of India’s T20 World Cup opening match against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium on February 7. Gambhir was accompanied by batting coach Sitanshu Kotak.
The Men in Blue are the defending champions of the tournament and will look to win their third title at home. Earlier, the Indian head coach also visited the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati ahead of the third T20I match against New Zealand and offered prayers at the historic shrine.
India are one of the strongest contenders to lift the T20 World Cup trophy this year. If the Men in Blue succeed, they will become the first side to win consecutive T20 World Cups. Suryakumar Yadav and Co. are heading into the tournament after defeating New Zealand 4-1 in the five-match T20I series.
VIDEO | Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir visits Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple.
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/v9qRVms7fc
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 5, 2026
India also beat South Africa by 30 runs in the T20 World Cup warm-up match on Wednesday, February 4. The Men in Blue set a 241-run target in 20 overs after electing to bat first at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Ishan Kishan continued his sensational run, smashing a brilliant half-century with the help of seven maximums and two boundaries, while Tilak Varma also scored 45 runs off 19 balls on International return.
Abhishek, Suryakumar, Axar, Rinku and Hardik also made important contributions with the bat. India used nine bowlers as South Africa only managed to score 210/7 in 20 overs. Abhishek also picked up two wickets, while Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Shivam Dube and Arshdeep Singh took one wicket each.
India’s schedule for T20 World Cup 2026
Suryakumar and Co. will face the USA in their opening match of the T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against the USA on February 7 in Mumbai. The Men in Blue will take on Namibia in Delhi on February 12. The defending champions will square off against arch-rivals Pakistan on February 15 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Their last league match will be against the Netherlands in Ahmedabad on February 18.