India to play West Indies, South Africa in 2016 ICC WT20 warm-ups

New Delhi: Mahendra Singh Dhoni led Indian cricket team will square off against giants South Africa and the West Indies in its warm-up matches prior to the ICC 2016 T20 World Cup.

The mega tourney which starts on March 8, is to be played in India.

The hosts are scheduled to open their campaign in the event on March 15 against neighbours Bangladesh.

Two warm-up games prior to that have been decided against West Indies (March 10) and South Africa (March 13).

Kolkata and Mumbai are the respective venues for these two practice games as the sides will test their mettle ahead of the coveted tournament.

India have been placed in a tough looking Group 2 with an in-form New Zealand, big guns Australia, arch-rivals Pakistan and a yet-to-be-decided qualifying team.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has the crucial T20 series against Australia later this month followed by a short series against Sri Lanka and the Asia Cup T20. These three series will be pivotal for India's confidence ahead of the World Cup.  

(With agency inputs)