The world of cricket is abuzz with excitement as two major milestones have lit up the sport in December 2025: the launch of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour from the historic Ram Setu, and the Indian women’s blind cricket team’s triumphant win at the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup for the Blind. Both events have been hailed as moments of unity, pride, and sporting excellence, shining a spotlight on cricket’s power to inspire and connect people across continents.
On December 16, 2025, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour soared to new heights—literally—when the coveted trophy was lifted off above Ram Setu (also known as Adam’s Bridge) via a two-seater paramotor. This dramatic launch was not just a visual spectacle, but a symbolic gesture. Ram Setu, stretching between India and Sri Lanka, embodies the spirit of connection and collaboration, fittingly echoing the bond between the two co-hosts of the upcoming tournament. The International Cricket Council (ICC) underscored that this tour isn’t just about moving a trophy from place to place. It’s about bringing fans, cultures, and cricketing communities together in anticipation of the 10th edition of this global event.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah, speaking at the launch, captured the moment’s significance: “Launching the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour with DP World above the Ram Setu, a site steeped in history, symbolism and shared cultural identity, sets an inspiring tone as we build towards this landmark event. This tour represents far more than the physical movement of a trophy. It is a unifying journey that brings continents, cultures and cricketing communities together, igniting passion among fans worldwide and strengthening the shared spirit that defines our game.”
The Trophy Tour will not be confined to the boundaries of India and Sri Lanka. It’s slated to visit several Asian nations, including Qatar, Oman, Nepal, Bahrain, and Mongolia. At each stop, cricket fans will get the rare chance to see the trophy up close, participate in fan meets, public events, and cricket carnivals, and engage in interactive activities designed to spread cricket’s joy far and wide. Special efforts will ensure the trophy reaches schools and colleges, giving young fans a firsthand connection to the global game. The ICC is also taking the trophy to major T20 leagues and bilateral series, ensuring the excitement is truly worldwide.
The stage is set for an epic tournament. Twenty teams will battle it out over 29 days, starting February 7, 2026. Matches will unfold across eight iconic venues in India and Sri Lanka: the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and in Sri Lanka, the R. Premadasa Stadium, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground (both in Colombo), and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. The ICC released the tournament schedule on November 25, 2025, generating a buzz of anticipation among fans and players alike.
The action kicks off with the opening match between the Netherlands and Pakistan in Colombo. On the same day, India will make its tournament debut against the USA at 7 PM. India’s group stage schedule is packed with high-stakes encounters: Namibia on February 12, arch-rivals Pakistan on February 15, and the Netherlands again on February 18. Each team will play four group matches, with the top two from each group advancing to the Super-8 round. There, the competition intensifies as teams play three more matches each. The two teams reaching the final will have played a grueling eight matches apiece, truly testing their mettle and consistency.
Cricket’s rich history is never far from the conversation, especially as India, the West Indies, and England stand as the only nations to have claimed two T20 World Cup titles each. India’s first triumph came in 2007, when they bested Pakistan in a nail-biting final. Seventeen years later, the Men in Blue repeated the feat by defeating South Africa in the 2024 final. Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia have each won the title once, making the upcoming tournament anyone’s game and fueling the anticipation for new records and unforgettable moments.
While the men’s tournament gears up for its global spectacle, the Indian women’s blind cricket team has already etched their names in the history books. On December 15, 2025, in Colombo, India clinched the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup for the Blind, defeating Nepal by seven wickets in a dominant final performance. Led by captain Deepika TC, the team’s unbeaten run through the tournament was nothing short of remarkable.
In the final, India opted to bowl first, displaying discipline and strategy to restrict Nepal to 114 for five in 20 overs. The chase was swift and decisive—India’s batters raced to 100 runs within the first 10 overs and wrapped up the victory in the 13th over. Opener Phula Saren starred with a blistering 44 off 27 balls, including four boundaries, earning her the Player of the Match accolade. Karuna K provided crucial support, contributing a brisk 42 from just 27 deliveries.
Captain Deepika TC, beaming with pride after the win, said, “We are very proud and it is a huge win. Our entire team worked very hard. It is a very strong team and other teams are afraid of playing with us. We are even ready to play with the men’s team.” Her words reflected the confidence and unity that propelled the squad to victory.
India’s path to the title was a showcase of dominance and skill. The team opened with a convincing win over Sri Lanka, followed by a 57-run victory against Australia after setting a daunting target of 293. Against Pakistan, India chased down 136 runs in just 10.2 overs—a testament to their aggressive approach. In the semifinal, they brushed aside Australia by nine wickets before sealing the crown with their authoritative win over Nepal.
The achievement drew praise from across the country, with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai congratulating the team and hailing their performance as a moment of pride for the entire nation. “I congratulate the Indian team who has made the entire nation proud,” he told reporters, echoing the sentiments of millions of fans who followed the team’s journey.
As the cricketing world looks ahead to the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the spirit of unity and excellence displayed by both the Trophy Tour and the women’s blind cricket team’s triumph serves as a powerful reminder of the sport’s ability to inspire and connect. With the countdown to February 7 already underway, fans everywhere are bracing for a season of unforgettable cricket, thrilling rivalries, and new legends in the making.