India’s Super 8 opponents at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 have been confirmed, and the defending champions now know the three teams standing between them
and a semifinal berth. After an unbeaten run in the group stage with still one league game left against the Netherlands, India enters the second phase with confidence.
The Suryakumar Yadav-led team currently holds the pole position of the Group A table with three wins from three matches, collecting six points and an impressive net run rate of 3.050. The Men in Blue began their campaign with a 29-run victory over the United States national cricket team. Despite an early scare with the bat, they held their nerve to close out the game brilliantly. They followed it up with a commanding 93-run win against Namibia. Explosive batting at the top and solid spin display ensured India not only secured two more points but also significantly boosted their net run rate.
The best moment of their group campaign came against Pakistan. India delivered a clinical performance to win by 61 runs, sealing qualification for the Super 8s in emphatic fashion. India’s final group fixture against the Netherlands is effectively a dead rubber in terms of qualification, but it gives another opportunity to maintain their form heading into the business end of the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Men in Blue have been placed in Super 8 Group 1 as a pre-seeded team. The group comprises Zimbabwe, which confirmed its place after progressing from Group B, replacing Australia in the pre-determined slot. The Super 8 format sees each team play the other three teams once, with the top two advancing to the semifinals.
India's fixtures for the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026
| Opponent | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | Feb 22 |
| Zimbabwe | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | Feb 26 |
| West Indies | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | Mar 01 |
The campaign begins with what could be the toughest challenge of the round. South Africa, runners-up in 2024, have consistently performed in ICC tournaments and will test India. The second match against Zimbabwe in Chennai sees them start as clear favourites on paper. The last Super 8 encounter against the West Indies in Kolkata.
