The Indian cricket team will begin their ICC T20 World Cup 2021 preparations by playing two warm-up matches against England and Australia in the UAE.

Led by their talismanic captain Virat Kohli, the Men in Blue are scheduled to face England in the first warm-up match on October 18 before clashing with Australia in their second and final warm-up encounter on October 20. Both India’s warm-up matches will be played at the Dubai International Stadium

Interestingly, this marquee event will be Kohli’s last as India’s T20I captain after he decided to step down from his post last month. The Indian skipper will look to end his captaincy stint by claiming his maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title.

Meanwhile, the inaugural T20 World Cup champions are placed in Group 2 alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, New Zealand, Afghanistan, the winner of Group B from Round 1 and the second-placed team of Group A. 

Under former captain and new mentor Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India will start as favourites in both the warm-up matches after they recently clinched the T20I series against England and Australia.

Indian cricket team’s warm-up matches schedule, fixtures and India match times

All times in India Standard Time (IST)

Day and Date

Match

Time (IST)

Venue

Monday, October 18

India vs England

7:30 PM IST

Dubai International Stadium

Wednesday, October 20

India vs Australia

3:30 PM IST

Dubai International Stadium

Where to watch Indian cricket team’s T20 World Cup warm-up matches live in India?  

The Indian cricket team’s warm-up matches at T20 World Cup 2021 will be telecast live on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, and their corresponding HD TV channels in India. 

Fans can also watch the matches in other regional languages on Star Sports 1 Tamil, Star Sports 1 Telugu and  Star Sports 1 Kannada.

Live streaming of India’s T20 World Cup warm-up matches will be available on Disney+ Hotstar app and website.

SportsAdda will bring you T20 World Cup 2021 warm-up matches live scores.

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Featured photo: INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / AFP