The upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup has come under threat after a deadly Nipah virus outbreak was reported in India, triggering quarantines and an emergency response just weeks before the mega ICC event.
According to reports, authorities in West Bengal, India have quarantined around 100 people after five cases were confirmed. The infected reportedly include healthcare workers, with at least two nurses and a doctor among those who tested positive. Reports also claim that two nurses working in Kolkata are in critical condition.
The timing of the outbreak is particularly worrying as India is set to host the T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to begin on February 7. With teams, officials, and fans expected to travel and gather across the country, any escalation in infections could complicate planning, logistics, and safety arrangements.
Officials have reportedly tightened contact tracing and quarantine protocols, while also examining the possibility of hospital-acquired transmission. India’s federal government has also sent a central response team to assist local authorities and monitor the evolving situation.
Nipah is a zoonotic virus, typically linked to bats, and is considered especially dangerous due to its high fatality rate, reported to be as high as 75% in some outbreaks.
The incubation period is generally 5 to 14 days, with early symptoms including fever and headache that can quickly escalate into severe neurological complications such as encephalitis, seizures, and coma. There is currently no approved vaccine, and treatment is largely supportive.
The tournament is already surrounded by controversy after the ICC reportedly removed Bangladesh from the competition following their request to play matches in Sri Lanka due to security concerns. The ICC declined the request and replaced Bangladesh with Scotland, sparking criticism online.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is also said to be reconsidering its participation, citing alleged double standards in the ICC’s treatment of India and the BCCI. Pakistan has not yet made an official announcement on whether it will participate in the tournament.
