T20 World Cup 2024: Team India set to play only one warm-up game in New York

Rohit Sharma's team India will play just two warm-up games as part of the preparation for the upcoming month-long ICC T20 World Cup 2024 this June. 

This will be the first time in a couple of years that team India will be playing only 1 warm-up game for a major ICC event. Before this edition, the Indians used to feature in at least two warm-up games to prepare for a World Cup but it won't be the case this time around. The situation is currently being discussed by the BCCI, ICC, and the West Indies Cricket Board who are co-hosting this event. 

Where will India play its T20 World Cup warm-up games?

There is a huge speculation going on at the moment between BCCI, ICC, and the CWI regarding India's T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up games. While the International Apex board and the Windies board are planning to organize the Men in Blues' warm-up match at the stadium in Florida, the Indians are reluctant to travel that far for the game. 

The BCCI and the Indian players have indicated playing their only preparatory game at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York. It is the venue wherein team India will play all of its four group-stage matches against the Ireland, Pakistan, Canada, and the USA. 

That is the first reason why Rohit Sharma's team India has expressed their reluctance to play their warm-up game at Central Broward Park, Florida. The Indians had most recently played at the venue during their all-format tour of the West Indies last year wherein they played 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, and 5 T20Is. 

The stadium in Florida had hosted the 4th and 5th T20I where India won and lost respectively with the hosts clinching the short format series by 3-2. 

Another major reason why the 2007 Champions have refused to play in Florida is due to the fatigue that will take place due to extensive traveling. All of the Indian players, who have made it to the 15-man squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, are currently busy playing in the ongoing edition of IPL. 

The Indian Premier League is a very hectic event where teams travel a lot due to the home-and-away format of the 10-team league. Team India players have already traveled enough during the 2024 season and that's why they have proposed to play their sole warm-up game in NY. 

When will team India leave for USA for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024? 

Rohit Sharma's Men in Blue will leave for the USA in two separate batches. The players who will not be participating in the play-off stages of IPL 2024 are scheduled to depart on May 25th a day before this season's final. Those playing in the IPL final will be leaving after May 26th. 

Team India's ICC T20 World Cup 2024 campaign will kick off June 5 against Ireland followed by clashes against Pakistan (9), USA (12) and Canada (15).