Source ICC
MUMBAI, INDIA — The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced Tuesday that former India captain Rohit Sharma has been named the official tournament ambassador for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Sharma, who famously led India to the T20 World Cup title in 2024 before retiring from the format, brings unparalleled experience and star power to the upcoming marquee event. The announcement was made during the official schedule unveiling for the 2026 tournament.
A Fitting Choice
Rohit Sharma is the only cricketer to have participated in all nine editions of the Men’s T20 World Cup since its inception in 2007. His appointment is seen as a strategic move to boost the event’s visibility and connect with the massive fan base in the host nations and globally.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah, in a post on X, reiterated Sharma’s stature. “There can be no better representative for the event than the winning captain of the 2024 T20 World Cup, and a player who has been in all nine editions so far,” Shah wrote.
Rohit Sharma expressed his excitement at the event being back on the subcontinent and his association in a new capacity. “It is great to have the tournament back in India and for me to be associated once again with the tournament, this time in a new capacity as the Brand Ambassador. I wish all the players the very best and hope they have a memorable time and enjoy India’s hospitality,” he said.
World Cup Schedule Announced
The announcement of Sharma as the ambassador coincided with the unveiling of the T20 World Cup 2026 schedule. The 10th edition of the tournament will begin on February 7, with India beginning their title defense in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, and Namibia.
The tournament will be played across eight venues in India and three in Sri Lanka. India’s highly anticipated clash against Pakistan is scheduled to take place on February 15 in Colombo.
The former captain’s association with the tournament will provide symbolic continuity, representing the journey of the T20 format from its early days to its current global peak.
