T20 World Cup Captains Day: The countdown to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has officially begun, with the International Cricket Council confirming the schedule for the highly anticipated T20 World Cup Captains Day, a key pre-tournament media event. The captains’ meet will take place on February 5, just two days before the tournament kicks off on February 7, and will be hosted across two major cricketing hubs — Mumbai in India and Colombo in Sri Lanka.
The T20 World Cup Captains Day is a traditional ICC media engagement designed to set the tone for the tournament. It brings together team captains from all participating nations to interact with global media, discuss preparations, share strategic insights, and address expectations ahead of the world’s biggest T20 spectacle.
This year’s captains’ event reflects the tournament’s dual-host structure, with India and Sri Lanka jointly staging the competition.
Mumbai to Host Captains from 12 Teams
Mumbai will be the primary venue for the T20 World Cup Captains Day in India, where 12 team captains will be present for media interactions. The event will be held at the BCCI Office at Wankhede Stadium, one of India’s most iconic cricket venues.
The captains attending the Mumbai session represent a diverse mix of established cricketing powers and emerging nations. To ensure smooth proceedings, the captains have been divided into two separate media groups.
Captains Attending the Mumbai Media Meet
| Participating Teams in Mumbai |
|---|
| India |
| Afghanistan |
| Canada |
| England |
| Italy |
| Namibia |
| Nepal |
| New Zealand |
| Scotland |
| South Africa |
| United States |
| West Indies |
The media schedule in Mumbai has been carefully structured. Group 1 will address the press at 3:00 PM local time, followed by Group 2 at 3:30 PM. During these sessions, captains are expected to speak about squad balance, pitch conditions, key players, and tactical approaches for the group stage.
The Mumbai leg of the T20 World Cup Captains Day is expected to attract extensive international media coverage, given India’s role as co-host and one of the tournament favourites.
Colombo to Host Captains from Eight Nations
Simultaneously, Colombo will stage the second leg of the T20 World Cup Captains Day, featuring eight international team captains. The event will be held at the Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA) Ground, a well-known venue for cricket administration and media events in Sri Lanka.
As in Mumbai, the captains in Colombo will be split into two groups for structured media interactions.
Captains Attending the Colombo Media Meet
| Participating Teams in Colombo |
|---|
| Sri Lanka |
| Australia |
| Ireland |
| Netherlands |
| Oman |
| Pakistan |
| United Arab Emirates |
| Zimbabwe |
The Colombo press conferences will begin earlier in the day, with Group 1 scheduled for 12:00 PM, followed by Group 2 at 12:30 PM. These interactions will focus on team readiness, adaptation to Sri Lankan conditions, and expectations from the opening phase of the tournament.
With Sri Lanka playing host to several key matches, the Colombo session of the T20 World Cup Captains Day holds particular importance for teams preparing to play on slower, spin-friendly surfaces.
Tournament Venues Across India and Sri Lanka
The T20 World Cup will be played across multiple world-class venues in both host nations. India will host matches at five major stadiums, while Sri Lanka will stage games across two cities.
Indian Venues for the T20 World Cup
| City | Stadium |
|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | Narendra Modi Stadium |
| New Delhi | Arun Jaitley Stadium |
| Kolkata | Eden Gardens |
| Chennai | MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) |
| Mumbai | Wankhede Stadium |
Sri Lankan Venues for the T20 World Cup
| City | Stadium |
|---|---|
| Colombo | R. Premadasa Stadium |
| Colombo | Sinhalese Sports Club Ground |
| Kandy | International Cricket Stadium |
India’s group-stage matches will be played across Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Colombo, allowing fans in both countries to witness high-profile encounters.
T20 World Cup 2026 Groups Confirmed
The ICC has already finalized the group stage structure for the tournament, with 20 teams divided into four groups. Each group features a competitive mix of top-ranked sides and qualifiers.
Official T20 World Cup Group Line-Up
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | Australia | England | South Africa |
| Pakistan | Sri Lanka | West Indies | New Zealand |
| USA | Zimbabwe | Italy | Afghanistan |
| Namibia | Ireland | Scotland | UAE |
| Netherlands | Oman | Nepal | Canada |
The group stage promises several high-voltage clashes, with traditional rivals and emerging teams set to battle for Super Stage qualification.
Why T20 World Cup Captains Day Matters
The T20 World Cup Captains Day is more than just a media obligation. It offers the first official platform for captains to frame narratives, manage expectations, and set the psychological tone before competition begins. Statements made during captains’ day often provide insights into team confidence, injury updates, and tactical priorities.
With the tournament starting on February 7, the captains’ interactions on February 5 will serve as the final curtain-raiser before cricket’s biggest T20 event takes centre stage.
As fans across the world prepare for weeks of fast-paced action, the T20 World Cup Captains Day marks the symbolic start of the global cricket carnival.
