In a powerful script reversal, JioStar has launched its official campaign film for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with India’s reigning women’s world champions leading the charge to support the men’s team. This marks a first-of-its-kind crossover where Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, and Shafali Verma headline a campaign rallying a billion fans ahead of the men’s title defense on home soil.
JioStar’s campaign flips the script: champions back champions
The film opens with Jemimah Rodrigues reflecting on India’s triumph in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final, a historic moment for Indian cricket. She then shifts focus, announcing it’s now time for the men’s team to pursue their own glory as hosts of the T20 World Cup.
As Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma join in, the trio declares India has already brought one cup home — and won’t let the other one go. With bold visuals, a gripping background score, and compelling storytelling, the film positions India’s women champions as the ones energizing the nation behind the next major milestone.
“This film was created to depict champions cheering champions,” said Siddharth Sharma, Head – Sports Content, JioStar. “It was only fitting that our reigning women’s world champions lead the rallying cry as the men’s team aims to create history on home turf.”
Building anticipation for India’s title defense on home soil
The campaign draws a dramatic connection between two ICC World Cups — across formats and genders — underlining the evolution and rise of women’s cricket in India. It also amplifies the weight of expectations on the men’s team as they prepare to defend their T20 title — a feat no host nation has yet achieved.
India enters the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as the top-ranked T20I team, boasting both the world’s number 1 T20I bowler and batter. With momentum on their side, they aim to become the first country to lift the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title three times.
India’s World Cup schedule and broadcast details
Team India will kick off their World Cup campaign against the USA on February 7 in Mumbai, followed by matches against Namibia (Feb 12), Pakistan (Feb 15), and Netherlands (Feb 18).
The tournament begins with a blockbuster opening fixture between Pakistan and the Netherlands. Fans can watch all the action live across JioHotstar and the Star Sports Network from February 7 to March 8.
“We wanted to energise a billion fans who are longing to see Team India lift the trophy once again at home,” Sharma added. “And who better than the reigning world champions to do that?”
With the film, JioStar not only celebrates India’s cricketing dominance across genders but also sets the tone for what promises to be a historic tournament on home soil.
