India on Sunday, 15 February at Colombo’s R. India have sealed their place in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 after an emphatic 61-run win over Pakistan with a game remaining at the Premadasa Stadium. Here are the teams that the Suryakumar Yadav-led side could face in the next phase of the marquee tournament.
The T20 World Cup 2026 features 20 teams, divided into four groups of five. Each side plays four group-stage matches, and the top two teams from each group advance to the Super 8s. West Indies became the first team to qualify for the Super 8s after their win over Pakistan on Sunday, followed by India on Sunday.
India will face Netherlands in the last group match before Super 8.
India will conclude their group stage with a match against the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, February 18. The result of that game would not change India’s Super 8 fixtures as the schedule for the next round had already been decided.
There is some confusion about the Super 8 stage, but the International Cricket Council has already locked the matchups using pre-determined seedings. India’s opponents for the next stage were decided even before the tournament started.
India have been seeded X1 and placed in Group X, in what is shaping up to be a tough competition. Along with India, the group will include South Africa, West Indies and one of Zimbabwe or Australia. Australia and South Africa are among the favorites for the title, while the Windies are the hidden horses.
Pre-determined seeding for T20 World Cup 2026:
X1 – India, X2 – Australia, X3 – West Indies, X4 – South Africa
Y1 – England, Y2 – New Zealand, Y3 – Pakistan, Y4 – Sri Lanka
India set to begin Super 8 campaign against South Africa in Ahmedabad
India will begin their Super 8 journey in Ahmedabad for their opening match. They will face a team seeded X4 in the game on Sunday, February 22, with South Africa the most likely opponent.
South Africa finished runners-up in 2024 and are close to qualification after winning three matches. UAE still have slim chances if they beat both Afghanistan and the Proteas.
India’s second Super 8 match will be held in Chennai on 26 February. Australia is the expected opponent, but Zimbabwe remain in the race after a major upset last week. If Zimbabwe manages to finish ahead of Australia, they will clinch the X2 seeding, while Ireland are also still alive.
The only certain opponent for India at this stage is West Indies, who have already secured Super 8 qualification. India will take on the Caribbean nation in their final match of the round at the Eden Gardens on March 1. The top two teams of the group will advance to the semi-finals.
India’s Super 8 Schedule:
22 February – India vs South Africa/UAE, Ahmedabad
26 February – India vs Australia/Zimbabwe/Ireland, Chennai
March 1 – India vs West Indies, Kolkata
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