Kolkata and Chennai quietly responded to one of the first talking points for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup. Whispers of empty stands for non-India matches were brushed aside and people simply turned up.
As this year’s tournament was expanded to include 20 teams, there were concerns that the tournament might lose some of its usual attendance. No clash between India and Pakistan on Indian soil, less dramatic moments and plenty of neutral matches in the calendar.
But the first week alone reminded him of that cricket crowds here are not always driven by the home team alone. Sometimes a World Cup badge and the promise of good competition is enough.
Chennai loving T20 World Cup action
On Sunday 8 February, the MA Chidambaram Stadium hosted New Zealand vs Afghanistan, a match that had plenty of cricket but was not laced with the usual ‘India factor’.
NZ vs AFG, T20 World Cup: Highlights | Scorecard
Still, Chepauk did what Chepauk does best. More than 20,000 fans turned up to settle in for a match between two sides expected to go deep into the tournament. New Zealand’s discipline against Afghanistan’s style made her a stalwart to watch and the crowd treated her in kind. The Chepauk Stadium enjoyed the T20 World Cup action even without India. (Photo: X/T20 World Cup)
Even when the hosts are not playing, Indian fans are willing to turn up for high-quality World Cup cricket, especially when the participating teams bring real stakes and personality to the game.
New Zealand sealed a commanding victory in that competition they defeated spirited Afghanistan by five wickets to mark a strong start to their campaign.
Kolkata shows true love for cricket
A similar story unfolded at the Eden Gardens, where Kolkata reaffirmed its status as a cricket-loving city. The opening of the tournament at the venue came with a late twist after Bangladesh pulled out of the scheduled match due to security concerns.
Scotland instead went in to face the West Indies and suddenly looked like one that might slip under the radar. No India, no market rivalry, yet almost 19,000 spectators passed through the gates.
WI vs SCO, T20 World Cup: Highlighting | Scorecard
Some Bangladeshi media circulated pictures prior to the match suggesting a low attendance. However, these visuals were taken long before the game started. As the game progressed, the stands filled steadily and fans on social media were quick to highlight the need for an accurate representation of the matchday attendance, particularly at the Eden Gardens character venue. The Eden Gardens stands were packed for WI vs SCO. (Photo: X/CAB)
West Indies could feel at home at the venue where they won their second World T20 title a decade ago. They rode so familiarly high and produced a dominant own win against Scotland, powered by Shimron Hetmyer’s lightning and Romario Shepherd’s hat trick.
Together, Kolkata and Chennai have done something bright at the start of this tournament. Even though Indian stadiums will miss out on the traditional spectacle of the India-Pakistan World Cup, the love for cricket here will not fade away when India is not on the field. A World Cup game at home is still a World Cup game and the crowds take it that way.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
February 8, 2026