Google Doodle celebrates the start of the Men's Twenty20 World Cup 2026

Google marked the opening of the Men’s Twenty20 World Cup with a playful Doodle that appeared on its global homepage as cricket fever swept the subcontinent.

The artwork celebrates the start of the tournament on February 7 and invites readers to explore the event’s fixtures, host cities and fan activities. It provides a light, colourful welcome to a month of fast-paced cricket.

With hosts India and Sri Lanka ready to welcome teams from across the world, the T20 World Cup promises a carnival of sixes, spectacular catches and plenty of nailbiting moments.

The Google Doodle simply said, “ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Begins,” capturing both the simplicity of the message and the enormity of the event itself.

GOOGLE DOODLE AND CRICKET FEVER

Google’s animation is a playful tribute to cricket — bright hues, animated motifs and hints of cricket gear that seemed to jump out at viewers.

It reflects how this shortest format has captured hearts globally, especially in the Indian subcontinent where T20 matches are social occasions just as much as sporting contests.

The Doodle appeared on the search engine’s homepage in many countries, spreading the buzz beyond stadiums and fan zones. It is a reminder that cricket isn’t just played on pitches; it lives online and in everyday conversations wherever fans gather.

MATCHES, MUSIC AND CELEBRATIONS

As the Doodle spreads smiles, the opening ceremony at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium promises its own energy.

With performers like rapper Badshah, sitarist Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, drummer Sivamani and danceactor Nora Fatehi, the prematch festivities were set to be as exciting as cricket itself. Soon after, hosts India were due to take on the USA in the first match of the tournament.

Fans watching from home could catch every moment live on Star Sports and streamed in multiple languages on JioHotstar, ensuring that no matter where people were, they’d be part of the action.

GLOBAL STAGE AND COLOURS

This edition of the T20 World Cup features 20 teams competing across 55 matches at iconic venues in both India and Sri Lanka, from Ahmedabad to Colombo. It’s a showcase not just of cricket skills but of the unifying power of sport.

Beyond the Doodle, the ICC and Google announced collaborations tied to the event, including technology features to improve fan engagement and storytelling.

Streaming partners expanded availability in several markets, while local fan zones and community events aim to bring the World Cup to people who could not attend in person.

The Doodle is a modest but vivid reminder that the sport’s biggest short-form festival has begun.

As Google’s Doodle brought the tournament into everyday searches, it set the stage for packed stadiums, passionate crowds and unforgettable games in a celebration of global cricket fever like no other.