Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium could lose its biggest T20 World Cup 2026 match, and Pakistan might be the reason. The India National Cricket Team is scheduled to play the second semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on March 5 if they qualify.
Wankhede Stadium set to host India’s semifinal in T20 World Cup 2026, but there’s twist
But if the Super 8 results create an India vs Pakistan semi-final, the match will not take place in Mumbai. It will be shifted to R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The change depends on group positions in the Super 8 round of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. If the defending champions finish first in their Super 8 group and Pakistan finishes second or the other way around, they will meet in the semi-final that will be held in Sri Lanka.
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The BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have signed an agreement, which says India and Pakistan will travel to each other’s country; instead, they will face each other at the neutral venue. And this will come into the picture if India faces Pakistan in the semifinals.
India vs Pakistan semifinal will move to Colombo
So, the Men in Blue would play the first semi-final in Colombo on March 4 instead of playing in Mumbai. That day also happens to be Holi, one of India’s biggest festivals. But if India faces another team, then Wankhede Stadium will remain the venue for the semifinal clash.
There is another major change in that situation. The first semi-final was originally planned for Eden Gardens. However, if Pakistan enters the last four, that match will also move to Colombo.
The ICC had said, “If India and Pakistan meet in the semi-finals, that match will be staged in Colombo, while Mumbai will host Semi-Final 2 involving India if they face any team other than Pakistan.”
No home semifinal for Sri Lanka despite being co-hosts
Interestingly, Sri Lanka is one of the co-hosts of the onging T20 World Cup 2026. But if they reach the semi-finals, they will still have to travel to India for their match. They will not get to play the knockout at home.
This means Pakistan qualifying for the semi-finals could directly affect India’s schedule and venue. Instead of enjoying home support in Mumbai, India will have to play in Sri Lanka. Everything now depends on how the Super 8 stage unfolds across India and Sri Lanka.
Race for semifinals in Super 8 round heats up
Notably, Pakistan and New Zealand faced each other in the first Super 8 match on February 21, but the game was washed out, and both teams shared the points in Group B. Currently, England and Sri Lanka are up against each other in Pallekele in the second Super 8 game.
England has all but secured two points in Group B and is ready to lead the table, while from Group A, India is set to face South Africa in the fourth Super 8 game in Ahmedabad on Sunday evening. Both teams were unbeaten in the group phase of the tournament.
