India are expected to play South Africa in their only warm-up match before beginning the defence of their T20 World Cup title next month. The fixture is likely to take place after the conclusion of India’s ongoing white-ball series against New Zealand.
Sole Practice Match Scheduled After New Zealand Series
The Indian side will wrap up the bilateral series with the fifth and final T20I on January 31 in Thiruvananthapuram, after which the squad will briefly disperse. Players are scheduled to regroup in Mumbai on February 3, ahead of the tournament opener.
A practice match against South Africa is slated for February 4 at the DY Patil Stadium, and is expected to serve as India’s sole warm-up encounter before their World Cup campaign begins on February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium.
While the ICC is yet to formally release the warm-up match schedule—a customary feature ahead of global tournaments—Cricbuzz understands that Suryakumar Yadav’s side is lined up to face Aiden Markram’s South Africa. As of Sunday, the plan remains unchanged, though officials have left room for adjustments due to scheduling disruptions following Bangladesh’s exit from the 20-team competition.
Sources from both the BCCI and Cricket South Africa (CSA) have acknowledged the proposed match-up but stopped short of confirming it, citing the absence of an official ICC announcement. With Scotland confirmed as Bangladesh’s replacement, the ICC is expected to unveil the warm-up fixtures on Monday, and unless there is a late change, the India–South Africa contest should go ahead as planned.
India have been drawn in Group A, alongside Pakistan, the Netherlands, the United States, and Namibia. South Africa, who finished runners-up in the previous edition, are placed in Group D with Canada, Afghanistan, New Zealand, and the UAE. They will begin their campaign against Canada on February 9 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
