With just two weeks to go until the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup begins, the noise is only getting louder. Favourites are being picked, the warm-up schedule is locked in, and Gautam Gambhir is already under the microscope. The countdown is on, and the talking points are coming thick.
“Head and shoulders above everybody else,” Eoin Morgan Picks T20 World Cup Favourites
Former England captain Eoin Morgan has come out swinging, calling India the outright team to beat at the T20 World Cup 2026. He says they stand “head and shoulders above everybody else”. According to Morgan, it’s the full package that separates them, an aggressive top order, spin options tailor-made for Indian surfaces, and a pace attack with answers in every phase. Most teams won’t be measuring themselves against each other. They’ll be measuring themselves against India, he added.
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T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-Ups Fixtures List is Out
The warm-up schedule is locked in, running from February 2 to February 6 across India and Sri Lanka.India have opted for a minimalist approach — one official warm-up, against South Africa in Navi Mumbai on February 4. It’s a rematch of the 2024 final and probably all they feel they need. An India A side will handle the rest of the workload, facing the USA and Namibia to give fringe players a look in.
Australia and England, meanwhile, have skipped warm-ups entirely, trusting bilateral series instead. It’s familiarity. Conditions, venues, travel, crowds, none of it is foreign territory.
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T20 World Cup 2026 warm up match list
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2 | Afghanistan vs Scotland | Bengaluru | 3 PM |
| Feb 2 | India A vs USA | Navi Mumbai | 5 PM |
| Feb 2 | Canada vs Italy | Chennai | 7 PM |
| Feb 3 | Sri Lanka A vs Oman | Colombo | 1 PM |
| Feb 3 | Netherlands vs Zimbabwe | Colombo | 3 PM |
| Feb 3 | Nepal vs UAE | Chennai | 5 PM |
| Feb 4 | Namibia vs Scotland | Bengaluru | 1 PM |
| Feb 4 | Afghanistan vs West Indies | Bengaluru | 3 PM |
| Feb 4 | Ireland vs Pakistan | Colombo | 5 PM |
| Feb 4 | India vs South Africa | Navi Mumbai | 7 PM |
| Feb 5 | Oman vs Zimbabwe | Colombo | 1 PM |
| Feb 5 | Canada vs Nepal | Chennai | 3 PM |
| Feb 5 | New Zealand vs USA | Navi Mumbai | 5 PM |
| Feb 6 | Italy vs UAE | Chennai | 3 PM |
| Feb 6 | India A vs Namibia | Bengaluru | 5 PM |
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Jason Gillespie trolled after Questioning Why Bangladesh Are Left Out
One of the more uncomfortable talking points has come from Jason Gillespie, who publicly questioned the ICC’s decision to remove Bangladesh from the tournament and replace them with Scotland.
Bangladesh were excluded after refusing to travel to India over security concerns, but Gillespie asked why neutral venues weren’t considered, drawing comparisons with arrangements made during the Champions Trophy.
In his now-deleted post, he asked: “Has there been an explanation from the ICC why Bangladesh could not play their games outside of India?” He further added, “From memory, India refused to play Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan and they were allowed to play those games outside of Pakistan. Can someone make this make sense?”
Morne Morkel says Sanju “one knock away” from Striking Form
Sanju Samson’s numbers haven’t been pretty, with 16 runs in three innings against New Zealand, including a golden duck. But, Morne Morkel isn’t panicking.
India’s bowling coach insists Samson is “one knock away” from turning things around, pointing to strong training sessions and clean ball-striking behind the scenes.
“Sanju is one knock away from finding his form back. We all know the clich word that form is temporary. For us, building up to the World Cup, it’s important for the guys to find that peak performance at the right time. He’s training well, he’s hitting the ball very well, so I think it’s just a matter of time for him to get his squad on board,” said Morkel
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“Sack Gambhir..” Manoj Tiwary Draws a Hard Line on Gambhir
Former India batter Manoj Tiwary believes Gautam Gambhir’s job should hinge entirely on the T20 World Cup 2026. Win it, and all is forgiven. Lose it, and the BCCI should “take a big and difficult decision”.
Tiwary acknowledged India’s strong T20I run under Gambhir but pointed to underwhelming Test and ODI results as red flags. In his view, failing to deliver a home World Cup would leave the board with little choice.
“If Gautam Gambhir fails to win the T20 World Cup 2026, then BCCI should take a big and difficult decision. BCCI secretary has said that we will pursue with Gambhir till his contract expires. But if the T20 World Cup 2026 doesn’t give a result to Gambhir, I think BCCI will take a big call and will remove him,” said Tiwary.
Dwayne Bravo Likes West Indies’ Chances in Indian Conditions
If there’s a dark horse being talked up, it’s West Indies and Dwayne Bravo thinks conditions could be their silent ally. “A lot of the players have played in India through the IPL, and the conditions are quite similar,” he said”The squad has a lot of power and plenty of experience,” he added.
Bravo reckons the IPL factor could work heavily in their favour, with many West Indies players already comfortable on Indian pitches.”The squad has a lot of power and plenty of experience. Players like Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell and Brandon King are there, and Shai Hope is leading the side. Akeal Hosein is one of the best T20 bowlers in the world,” Bravo said.
On paper, it’s a squad built to clear ropes — the question, as always with West Indies, is consistency.
Stay tuned for the latest updates.
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