ICC T20 WC 2026 Anthem Sparks Backlash From Cricket Fans
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on January 30, 2026, unveiled the official anthem of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, titled "Feel The Thrill." The anthem has been composed by renowned Indian music director Anirudh Ravichander and is intended to celebrate the excitement, intensity, and global appeal of T20 cricket.
The upcoming T20 World Cup will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with the tournament set to begin on February 07. As with every ICC event, the official anthem is designed to build anticipation and emotionally connect fans across the cricketing world. However, the release of "Feel The Thrill" has triggered sharp reactions on social media, particularly on X.
Soon after its launch, several cricket fans expressed disappointment with the anthem, criticising its energy and overall feel. A section of users went so far as to call the song a "waste". It claimed it failed to capture the unity, nostalgia, and fighting spirit traditionally associated with a World Cup anthem.
One shared post questioned how a global tournament anthem could miss the essence of the World Cup, stating that such songs should evoke uplifting energy, sportsmanship, and shared emotion among fans.
The criticism has largely centred on the belief that the anthem does not reflect the magnitude and emotion of a global ICC event. Fans argued that a World Cup anthem plays a key role in setting the tone for the tournament and uniting supporters from different nations, something they feel "Feel The Thrill" falls short of achieving.
The backlash has also led to comparisons with the previous T20 World Cup anthem, "Out of This World," performed by Grammy-winning artist Sean Paul and soca star Kes. That anthem was widely praised for aligning with the Caribbean vibe of the 2024 tournament, which was held in the West Indies and the United States.
Despite the criticism, the anthem has generated significant online attention, keeping the spotlight firmly on the tournament ahead of its start. The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to begin on February 7 at 6 PM, with India set to face the USA in the opening match.
With the tournament just days away, it remains to be seen whether the anthem grows on fans as the World Cup action gets underway.