Mumbai: JioStar, the official broadcast and digital partner for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026, has unveiled its new tournament film, signalling a paradigm shift in cricket storytelling. In a first-of-its-kind narrative, reigning ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup champions Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, and Shafali Verma rally the nation in support of the Indian men’s team, marking a symbolic role reversal that reflects the growing stature and influence of the women’s game.
The film opens with Jemimah Rodrigues recalling the moment a nation’s dream was realised on the night of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final, before setting the tone for a reset as the men’s team begins its campaign. Bridging two ICC World Cups across formats and genders, the film sees Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma join in, reinforcing the message that India has already brought one World Cup home and is determined not to let the other slip away. Backed by a gripping score and cinematic visuals, the film captures one set of world champions cheering another.
Conceptualised by the JioStar Creative Team, the campaign connects two landmark moments from India’s men’s and women’s cricket journeys to build anticipation for India’s title defence at home in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026—a feat no host nation has achieved so far. With India currently boasting the number one T20I batter and bowler, and entering the tournament as the top-ranked T20I team globally, the campaign underscores the team’s ambition to become the first nation to lift the coveted title three times.
Speaking about the film, Siddharth Sharma, Head – Sports Content, JioStar said, “As the Indian Men’s Cricket Team prepares to embark on a historic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, striving to become the first ever back to back champions, it was apt for the reigning women’s World Champions to lead the charge in rallying support for the Men in Blue. This film was created to depict champions cheering champions– for Team India to repeat history on the biggest stage of all and to energise a billion fans who are longing to see Team India lift the trophy once again at home.”
India will begin their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign in Mumbai against the USA on February 7, followed by matches against Namibia on February 12 and arch-rivals Pakistan in a highly anticipated fixture on February 15. The group stage will conclude with India facing the Netherlands on February 18. The tournament will kick off with Pakistan taking on the Netherlands in the opening match, with fans able to catch all the action live across JioHotstar and the Star Sports Network from February 7 to March 8.
