Why India’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final venue is not fixed in Mumbai and will depend on Pakistan, again

In a tournament where they are the co-hosts, with a larger pool of matches, India could still end up playing the entire knock-out phase of the World Cup in Sri Lanka. That will be down to the BCCI’s hybrid-model agreement with Pakistan, who will have the cushion of playing the entire tournament in Sri Lanka, provided they keep winning.

This also means that the probabilities of an India-Pakistan semi-final could be high in two different scenarios.

T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 schedule

How India and Pakistan could meet in a T20 World Cup semi-final in Colombo

Slotted in Group 1 and Group 2 of the Super 8s after emerging as the top two sides from the initial Group A, India and Pakistan can collide once again in the semi-final if they accord diagonal spots at the conclusion of the current stage. That is, if India finish as A1 and Pakistan B2 or vice-versa, they will be marked to play the first semi-final. Initially slotted for Kolkata, the first semi-final will then move to the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Pakistan’s qualification, regardless of India’s position, will move the semi-final out of India, with the second semi-final contest on March 5 fixed at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

India’s potential semi-final venues

If India top Group 1 and Pakistan will not qualify – India will play the first semi-final in Kolkata on March 4

If India top Group 1 and Pakistan finish second in Group 2 – India and Pakistan will meet in the first semi-final in Colombo on March 4

If India finish second in Group 1 and Pakistan top Group 2 – India and Pakistan will meet in the first semi-final in Colombo on March 4

If India and Pakistan finish first/second in Groups 1 and 2 – India will play the second-semifinal in Mumbai on March 5

If India finish second in Group 1 and Pakistan fails to qualify – India will play the second-semifinal in Mumbai on March 5

Pakistan’s Super 8 campaign got off to an iffy start after rain washed out the Super 8 opener against New Zealand in Colombo. India and Pakistan last met in the knockouts of a T20 World Cup during the inuagural edition where the Men in Blue emerged victorious in the final by five runs.

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EXPLAINED: T20 World Cup: Why India have to face fellow group-toppers in Super Eight

India’s Super 8 matches

India vs South Africa – February 22 – 7:00 pm – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

India vs Zimbabwe – February 26 – 7:00 pm – MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

India vs West Indies – March 1 – 7:00 pm – Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Pakistan’s Super 8 matches

New Zealand vs Pakistan – February 21 – 7:00 pm – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo – Match abandoned

England vs Pakistan – February 24 – 7:00 pm – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – February 28 – 7:00 pm – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy

T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final schedule

Semi-Final 1 (A1 vs B2) – March 4 – 7:00 pm – Kolkata/Colombo

Semi-Final 2 (B1 vs A2) – March 5 – 7:00 pm – Mumbai

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