Rohit Sharma-led team India will play just a single warm-up match ahead of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 in West Indies and USA in June, Cricbuzz reported.
Teams typically play two warm-up matches before the T20 World Cup. According to a Cricbuzz report, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) requested that these warm-up matches be held in New York instead of Florida.
The Indian team will be stationed in New York when they arrive in USA for T20 World Cup 2024, and since the distance between New York and Florida is approximately 1100 kilometers, players want to have their warm-up matches in New York, avoid the fatigue caused due to long-distance travel.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) and West Indies Cricket Board planned to hold a warm-up match in Florida. However, due to extensive travel and the demanding schedule of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, the Indian players are reluctant to travel from New York to Florida for a practice match and then return.
Team India's practice matches hold significant commercial importance and are always televised due to their earning potential. Given this, the ICC is likely to accommodate the BCCI's request of having India's both practice matches in New York. The ICC will soon announce the schedule for T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up matches.
India's travel plan for T20 World Cup 2024
Rohit Sharma-led Indian team will depart for New York in two batches, on May 25 and May 28. Players who won't be participating in IPL 2024 final will leave for New York on May 25, while those who will be part of the IPL final will depart for New York on May 26.
India's league matches in New York are scheduled for June 5 (vs Ireland), June 9 (vs Pakistan), and June 12 (vs United States). Their final league match against Canada takes place in Florida on June 15, after which the team will head to the West Indies for the Super 8 matches.