New Delhi: India’s opponents for the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 were confirmed on Tuesday, February 17, after Zimbabwe became the second team to qualify from Group B. Zimbabwe’s group-stage match against Ireland was washed out due to rain in Pallekele, allowing them to progress to the next round in the tournament.
Having beaten Oman and Australia in their first two group matches, Zimbabwe needed a win or a no-result against Ireland to qualify for the Super Eight after the Aussies lost to Sri Lanka on Monday. As it turned out, rain ensured Zimbabwe and Ireland shared points after the match between the two sides was called off. Zimbabwe booked their spot in the Super 8 as Australia were knocked out of the tournament.
Zimbabwe will now join India, West Indies and South Africa in Group X in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup 2026. The top two teams from each of the four groups in the group stage will qualify for the Super 8s. However, their seedings have been pre-determined by the ICC. India have been seeded X1 in group X, with Australia, West Indies and South Africa designated X2, X3 and X4, respectively.
However, if a pre-seeded team fails to finish in the top two in their group and fails to qualify for the Super 8, the next best team will take their spot. For example, Zimbabwe will take Australia’s spot in group X as X2. India booked their spot in the Super 8 after beating Pakistan by 61 runs in their third group-stage match in Colombo on Sunday. India are yet to play New Zealand in their final group game.
Pre-assigned seedings for Super Eight stage in T20 World Cup 2026:
X Group: India (X1), Australia (X2), West Indies (X3), South Africa (X4)
Y Group: England (Y1), New Zealand (Y2), Pakistan (Y3), Sri Lanka (Y4)
Final qualified teams in Group X for Super Eight stage in T20 World Cup 2026:
X Group: India (X1), Zimbabwe (X2), West Indies (X3), South Africa (X4)
India to begin Super 8 campaign against South Africa
Defending champions India have been handed a tough group and will begin their Super Eight campaign against last year’s finalists South Africa in Ahmedabad on February 22. India will then lock horns with Zimbabwe in Chennai on February 26, before locking horns with West Indies in their final Super 8 clash on March 01.
India’s Super Eight schedule and timings in T20 World Cup 2026:
India vs South Africa, February 22, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad – 7 PM IST
India vs Zimbabwe, February 26, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai – 7 PM IST
India vs West Indies, March 1, Eden Gardens, Kolkata – 7 PM IST
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