India to face South Africa in sole warm-up before T20 World Cup defence

After concluding their T20 series against New Zealand on January 31 in Thiruvananthapuram, the Indian team will reassemble in Mumbai ahead of their T20 World Cup title defence. They are scheduled to play a warm-up match against South Africa on February 4 at the DY Patil Stadium.

This fixture is expected to be India's only warm-up game before the tournament begins on February 7. While the ICC has not officially released the warm-up schedule, it is understood that India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, are set to face Aiden Markram's South African side. The announcement has been delayed due to Bangladesh's withdrawal from the tournament, with Scotland confirmed as their replacement.

India are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, the Netherlands, the United States, and Namibia. South Africa, last edition's runners-up, are in Group D with Canada, Afghanistan, New Zealand, and the UAE. South Africa will begin their campaign against Canada on February 9 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.