Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has shared his views on cricket’s major tournament ahead of the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup. The cricketer-turned-commentator said the ‘Cricket World Cup’ tag should be reserved only for 50-over events as the T20 tournament is held every two years.

The fifth T20I between India and New Zealand will be played on Saturday, January 31 at the Greenfield International Stadium. After the series, Suryakumar Yadav and his team will begin their T20 World Cup tour against the United States (USA) on February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium.

The ‘Cricket World Cup’ will always be the 50-over World Cup – Sanjay Manjrekar

Ahead of the 2025 T20 World Cup, Sanjay Manjrekar said that the term ‘Cricket World Cup’ would only apply to the 50-over tournament that takes place every four years. Manjrekar said that the T20 tournament should be called World T20.

Your daily dose of cricket!

“For me, the ‘Cricket World Cup’ will always be the 50-match World Cup. The T20 version that is held every two years can never be given the same status as the quadrennial World Cup. I prefer its original name – WorldT20,” Sanjay Manjrekar written in X (formerly known as Twitter).

For me, the ‘Cricket World Cup’ will
It’s always the 50-over World Cup.

The T20 edition, which is held every two years, cannot be given the same status as the quadrennial World Cup. I prefer its original name – The WorldT20.

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 30, 2026

Rohit Sharma’s recent journey with Team India

India have bounced back strongly after losing the 2023 World Cup final under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. Soon after, the team won two ICC white-ball tournaments.

India ended its 11-year ICC trophy drought by defeating South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final. After this win, Rohit retired from T20Is. In 2025, India defeated New Zealand to win the Champions Trophy in Dubai, adding another title.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appointed Shubman Gill as India’s ODI captain ahead of the Australia tour last year. Rohit last played in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, where he scored 61 runs in three games at an average of 20.33 and a strike rate of 76.25.

India 2026 T20 World Cup Schedule

India will begin their T20 World Cup title defense against the United States on February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium. The Men in Blue are in Group A along with the United States, Pakistan, Namibia and the Netherlands.

India will play their second match against Namibia on February 12 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. They will face arch-rivals Pakistan on February 15 at the R. Premadasa International Stadium. The final match of the group stage will be against Netherlands on February 18 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

The event will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. A total of 20 teams participated in the competition, divided into 5 groups of 4 teams, and the top two teams in each group advanced to the Super Eight stage.

The eight teams will be divided into two groups, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the semi-finals. The final is scheduled to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, provided Pakistan fails to qualify.

Also read: Sanjay Manjrekar is obsessed with Abhishek Sharma, compliments turn into full-blown crush moment