WATCH: Badshah, Nora Fatehi set the T20 World Cup 2026 opening ceremony ablaze with their power-packed performances
The 10th edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup kicked off with a breathtaking display of glitz and grit at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. On the evening of February 7, 2026, the cricketing world turned its gaze toward the Group A clash between defending champions India and the United States of America. Before the first ball was even bowled, the atmosphere was electric, blending the high-octane energy of Bollywood with the rising stakes of international cricket.
Badshah and Nora Fatehi deliver power-packed performances at the T20 World Cup 2026 opening ceremony
The opening ceremony was nothing short of a visual masterpiece. The evening began with a soulful yet powerful neo-classical medley by sitar virtuoso Rishab Rikhiram Sharma and legendary percussionist Sivamani, bridging the gap between traditional Indian sounds and the modern T20 era. The spectacle reached its peak when the T20 World Cup trophy made a dramatic entry, carried onto the field by a jetpack performer, a moment that left the 60,000-strong crowd in awe.
Following the formal declaration of the tournament by ICC Chairman Jay Shah and brand ambassador Rohit Sharma, the stage was handed over to the hitmakers. Rapper Badshah set the stadium ablaze with a high-energy set of his chart-topping anthems, turning the Wankhede into a massive concert floor. The momentum only grew when Nora Fatehi took over, delivering a power-packed dance performance with her signature precision and flair. The duo eventually joined forces for a grand finale, leaving the audience primed for the sporting battle that was to follow.
Here’s the video:
nora fatehi performance at the Wankhade stadium for T20 World Cup opening ceremony. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/DcCNUH5ins
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) February 7, 2026
Nora Fatehi set the stage on fire with her performance at the T20 World Cup opening ceremony.🔥🥵 pic.twitter.com/JqLggIocli
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) February 7, 2026
Rohit Sharma, the brand ambassador of the T20 World Cup, walking onto the ground at Wankhede Stadium carrying the trophy.🙌🔥 pic.twitter.com/9kAYjWb6mD
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) February 7, 2026
The stars lit up a dazzling evening at the Wankhede ahead of India’s #T20WorldCup opener against USA ⚡️
Follow the LIVE action from the tournament, broadcast details in our bio ➡️https://t.co/NPykWM7qqY pic.twitter.com/hZGvnLI3Cp
— ICC (@ICC) February 7, 2026
Also READ: IND vs USA, T20 World Cup 2026: Here’s why Jasprit Bumrah is not playing today’s match
Suryakumar Yadav’s captain’s knock rescues India after early collapse against USA
While the entertainment was seamless, India’s start on the pitch was anything but. After USA captain Monank Patel won the toss and elected to field, the Indian top order faced a nightmare start against a disciplined American bowling attack. Abhishek Sharma fell for a golden duck in the second over, and despite a brief, breezy 25 from Tilak Varma, the Men in Blue found themselves reeling at 46/4 by the end of the Powerplay.
The middle order offered little respite, as Shivam Dube fell for a duck and Hardik Pandya managed only 5, leaving India gasping at 77/6 in the 13th over. However, Mumbai’s own Suryakumar Yadav stood like a rock amidst the ruins.
The “SKY” show truly began in the death overs. Suryakumar hammered 84 off 49 balls, single-handedly propelling the score past the 150-mark. He was particularly ruthless against the USA’s premier pacer, Saurabh Netravalkar, who ended with expensive figures of 0/65. For the USA, Shadley van Schalkwyk was the hero with the ball, tearing through the lineup to claim 4/25. Despite the early jitters, India finished with a fighting total of 161/9, setting up a fascinating chase for the USA under the Mumbai lights.
