India to Play Only One Warm-Up Match in T20 World Cup 2024
India will play just one warm-up match in the T20 World Cup 2024.
The Indian cricket team will play just one warm-up match heading into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 unlike other teams who will play two warm-up matches. They will play their only warm-up game in New York.
England and Pakistan are the other two sides reportedly following a similar single warm-up match strategy. Both teams will be concluding a bilateral series ending on May 30, leaving them with limited time before the World Cup kicks off.
Why India is Playing Only One Warm-Up Match in T20 World Cup 2024?
According to reports, the BCCI opted for a single warm-up match due to logistical reasons and player fatigue. The ICC and Cricket West Indies reportedly offered the Indian team two warm-up matches, but in separate locations: New York and Florida.
With the IPL 2024 final scheduled for May 26 and the Indian team departing for the USA in two batches, the BCCI preferred to hold both practice games in New York to minimize travel and ensure player fitness.
India’s World Cup campaign begins on June 5 against Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. The team, looking to reclaim the coveted trophy, is placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Ireland, USA, and Canada.
Three of their four Group A matches will be played in New York, including the highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on June 9. Their final group stage encounter takes place in Florida against Canada on June 15.
No Reserve Day for 2nd Semi-Final
In a separate development, the ICC has reportedly changed the playing conditions for the second T20 World Cup semi-final. To avoid a potential scheduling conflict with the final, the reserve day for the second semi-final has been scrapped. Instead, an additional 250 minutes (4 hours and 10 minutes) have been allotted to the match to account for rain interruptions.
The first semi-final will be played in Trinidad on June 26 with a reserve day on June 27. The second semi-final is slated for June 27 at Providence Stadium in Guyana, followed by the final on June 29, also in Guyana.
