Cricket fans attending the opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Mumbai on February 7 can look forward to more than just on-field action, as a star-studded musical lineup is set to entertain the crowd.

The ICC announced on Friday that rapper Badshah, Bollywood star Nora Fatehi, acclaimed neo-classical sitarist Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, and renowned percussionist Sivamani will lead the official opening ceremony of the tournament.

Sharing his excitement, Badshah said he was thrilled to be part of a global event that blends sport, music, and culture, noting that music, much like cricket, has the power to unite people. He added that he is eager to bring his energy to such a prestigious platform.

Rishab Rikhiram Sharma said performing at the T20 World Cup opening was an unexpected but meaningful opportunity, calling it a major step in showcasing Indian music on the world stage. He expressed his honour at sharing the stage with Sivamani in front of an audience of nearly 60,000 fans.

Sivamani echoed similar sentiments, saying that both music and cricket transcend borders. He described performing at the opening ceremony in Mumbai as a privilege and said he looks forward to engaging the audience through rhythm ahead of the match.

India have been placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States. The hosts will begin their campaign against the USA in Mumbai on February 7.

If India successfully defend their title, they will become the first team to do so in T20 World Cup history. A third title would also make them the most successful team in the tournament’s history.

India’s T20 World Cup squad: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Rinku Singh.