Just days before the start of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, India national cricket team face South Africa national cricket team in a high-profile warm-up match today. The clash will be played at the DY Patil Stadium, giving both teams a final chance to test combinations and match fitness.
India, the defending champions, and South Africa, runners-up in 2024, will use this contest to fine-tune their playing XIs before the main tournament begins on February 7.
Match Details: IND vs SA Warm-Up
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs South Africa – T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-Up |
| Date | Wednesday, 4 February 2026 |
| Venue | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai |
| Start Time | 7:00 PM IST |
| Toss | 6:30 PM IST |
| Match Type | Day–Night |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (Warm-Up) |
Pitch & Weather Report (DY Patil Stadium)
The DY Patil surface is known for true bounce and even pace, making it ideal for stroke play.
- Batting-friendly wicket with value for shots
- New-ball pacers may get early movement
- Spinners can play a role in middle overs
- Dew likely in the second innings, helping the chasing side
Average first-innings score: 170–185
Weather: Clear skies, no rain expected, temperature around 25–30°C
Where to Watch Live (Free Online Streaming in India)
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| Live TV | Star Sports Network (Hindi & English commentary) |
| Free Live Streaming | JioHotstar app & website |
| Live Scores | ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, ICC App |
| Highlights | ICC digital platforms |
Good news for fans: The India vs South Africa warm-up match is available free online on JioHotstar in India.
Probable Playing XIs (Warm-Up)
India (Probable)
| Player |
|---|
| Rohit Sharma (c) |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal |
| Virat Kohli |
| Suryakumar Yadav |
| Rinku Singh |
| Hardik Pandya |
| Ravindra Jadeja |
| Axar Patel |
| Kuldeep Yadav |
| Jasprit Bumrah |
| Arshdeep Singh |
Tilak Varma is fit and available; wicketkeeper slot between Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson. Rotation expected.
South Africa (Probable)
| Player |
|---|
| Quinton de Kock (wk) |
| Reeza Hendricks |
| Aiden Markram (c) |
| Heinrich Klaasen |
| David Miller |
| Tristan Stubbs |
| Marco Jansen |
| Keshav Maharaj |
| Kagiso Rabada |
| Anrich Nortje |
| Ottneil Baartman |
India vs South Africa Head-to-Head (T20Is)
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 26 |
| India Wins | 15 |
| South Africa Wins | 10 |
| No Result/Tie | 1 |
India also defeated South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, making this warm-up an exciting early rematch—though both teams may not play full-strength XIs.
