Wednesday’s going to be important for Indian cricket fans. India takes on South Africa on February 4, 2026, in their only warm-up before the World Cup. Just one practice match – that’s all they’re getting.
The IND vs SA T20 World Cup Warm-Up takes place at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. Both sides need to figure out their best combinations fast. The actual tournament starts February 7, leaving almost no time to experiment.
Match Timing and Venue Details
Toss happens at 6:30 PM IST, then the action starts at 7:00 PM IST. Evening slots in Mumbai always draw bigger crowds and a better atmosphere.
Dr DY Patil Sports Academy isn’t new to either team. South Africa played their entire December T20I series in India. Five matches on these same pitches gave them plenty of familiarity.
That December series might actually give South Africa an edge. They’ve already faced India’s bowlers in these exact conditions. Indian spinners and pacers won’t surprise them much this time around.
Where to Watch the IND vs SA T20 World Cup Warm-Up Live
Star Sports Network has the television rights for this match across India. They’ll broadcast in multiple languages, so pick whichever commentary you prefer. World Cup matches always get their premium production treatment.
Streaming fans should head straight to JioHotstar. Both the app and website carry the live feed. No cable subscription needed – just your internet connection and you’re watching.
Don’t expect any delays or buffering issues either. JioHotstar usually handles big cricket matches pretty smoothly. Load it up a few minutes early to avoid any last-second technical problems.
What Both Teams Want From This Game
India needs to settle their final playing 11 before February 7. Batting order decisions, death bowling options, fielding positions—everything gets tested here. Coaches will watch every single detail closely.
South Africa faces the same pressure to finalise its combinations. Who opens the batting? Which spinners make the cut? These questions need answers before the tournament starts.
This warm-up acts as the last competitive outing for both sides. After this, the real deal begins with league stage matches. Teams can’t afford to take this lightly despite the “warm-up” tag.
The T20 World Cup starts just three days after this match. Whatever lessons teams learn here must be applied immediately. There’s zero room for extended experiments or gradual improvements. It’s now or never for both India and South Africa.
