ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: India Dominate USA, Pakistan Cruise Past Netherlands in Strong Start
Published Date: 8th Feb, 2026
February 08, 2026
The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 burst into life across India and Sri Lanka, with co-hosts India launching their title defense in ruthless fashion by thrashing the United States by 29 runs in their Group A opener at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday. The tournament, running from February 7 to March 8, features 20 teams battling in 55 matches across eight venues in the two countries, marking Sri Lanka's first major ICC hosting role since 2012.
India posted 161/9 after being asked to bat first, powered by classy half-centuries from Virat Kohli (62 off 44) and Suryakumar Yadav (51 off 38). The United States replied with 132/8, never truly threatening despite a brave 38 from opener Monank Patel. Jasprit Bumrah (3/18) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/22) dismantled the middle order as India began their campaign with a commanding victory.
Early Tournament Highlights
The World Cup opened on February 7 with Pakistan defeating the Netherlands by 6 wickets in Colombo, followed by West Indies overcoming Scotland in Kolkata. Sunday's action saw Afghanistan edge past New Zealand in a tense Group D contest, while England comfortably dispatched Nepal in Mumbai.
Key early results:
- India 161/9 beat USA 132/8 by 29 runs (New Delhi)
- Pakistan 152/4 beat Netherlands 149/7 by 6 wickets (Colombo)
- Afghanistan 138/6 beat New Zealand 137/9 by 4 wickets (Ahmedabad)
- England 168/5 beat Nepal 142/8 by 26 runs (Mumbai)
- West Indies 172/6 beat Scotland 158/9 by 14 runs (Kolkata)
Group A (India, Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, Namibia) and other pools have already delivered competitive cricket, with several Associate nations showing they can compete against full members.
Standout Performances and Talking Points
- Kohli and Suryakumar shine: The Indian middle order once again proved decisive, with Kohli anchoring and Suryakumar accelerating late.
- Bumrah's mastery: The pace spearhead continued his T20 World Cup dominance with another match-winning spell.
- Pakistan's clinical chase: Babar Azam (47*) and Mohammad Rizwan (38*) guided Pakistan home with composure.
- Afghanistan's grit: Rashid Khan's all-round contribution (2 wickets and 28*) proved crucial in a tight finish against New Zealand.
- Venue conditions: Indian pitches have offered good bounce and carry with some turn, while Sri Lankan venues have favored seam movement under lights.
The Super 8 stage begins February 22, with the final scheduled for March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad (or Colombo if Pakistan qualifies).
Viewing and Global Reach
The tournament is broadcast worldwide through official ICC partners, with live streaming available on ICC.tv in many territories. In India, matches are shown on Star Sports and Disney+ Hotstar; Sri Lankan games are carried on SLRC and various digital platforms.
With blockbuster clashes like India vs Pakistan (scheduled for February 15, subject to ongoing diplomatic and security discussions) looming, the 2026 T20 World Cup has already delivered high-quality cricket and set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling month of action. Fans can follow live scores, highlights, and expert analysis on the official ICC website and app.
Date: 8th Feb, 2026
