The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the comprehensive schedule for the Indian cricket team following the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The calendar is packed with a series of international fixtures, starting with a tour of New Zealand. This announcement comes as a treat for cricket enthusiasts eager to see the Men in Blue in action after the high-octane T20 league.
New Zealand Tour: The Opening Act
Team India will kick off their post-IPL commitments with a tour of New Zealand in June 2026. The tour will feature a limited-overs series comprising three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). The matches are scheduled to be played across various venues in New Zealand, including Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. This series is expected to serve as a crucial preparation for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2027.
Detailed Fixtures Against New Zealand
- 1st T20I: June 10, 2026, at Eden Park, Auckland
- 2nd T20I: June 12, 2026, at Sky Stadium, Wellington
- 3rd T20I: June 14, 2026, at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
- 1st ODI: June 18, 2026, at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
- 2nd ODI: June 21, 2026, at Seddon Park, Hamilton
- 3rd ODI: June 24, 2026, at Basin Reserve, Wellington
Home Series Against Australia
Following the New Zealand tour, India will return home to host Australia for a multi-format series in July-August 2026. The series will include two Test matches, three ODIs, and three T20Is. The Test matches will be part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle, adding extra significance to the encounters. The venues for the Tests are likely to be Chennai and Mumbai, while the white-ball matches will be held in Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Delhi.
Key Matches Against Australia
- 1st Test: July 15-19, 2026, at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- 2nd Test: July 23-27, 2026, at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- 1st ODI: August 1, 2026, at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- 2nd ODI: August 4, 2026, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- 3rd ODI: August 7, 2026, at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
- T20I series: August 10-15, 2026, venues TBD
England Tour: A Tough Challenge
In September 2026, Team India will travel to England for a full-fledged series comprising five Test matches, three ODIs, and three T20Is. The Test series will be a marquee event, with matches scheduled at Lord's, The Oval, Edgbaston, Headingley, and Old Trafford. The ODI and T20I matches will be played in Southampton, Bristol, and Cardiff. This tour is expected to be a stern test for the Indian side, especially in the longest format of the game.
England Series Highlights
- 1st Test: September 2-6, 2026, at Lord's, London
- 2nd Test: September 10-14, 2026, at Edgbaston, Birmingham
- 3rd Test: September 18-22, 2026, at Headingley, Leeds
- 4th Test: September 26-30, 2026, at Old Trafford, Manchester
- 5th Test: October 4-8, 2026, at The Oval, London
- ODI series: October 12-18, 2026, venues TBD
- T20I series: October 22-28, 2026, venues TBD
Other Series and World Cup Preparations
In addition to the aforementioned series, India will also host Bangladesh for a limited-overs series in November 2026, followed by a tour of South Africa in December 2026-January 2027. These matches will serve as crucial preparation for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027, which is scheduled to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The BCCI has also planned a few bilateral series against Sri Lanka and West Indies in early 2027 to fine-tune the squad for the mega event.
Upcoming Series at a Glance
- New Zealand tour: June 2026 (3 T20Is, 3 ODIs)
- Australia home series: July-August 2026 (2 Tests, 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is)
- England tour: September-October 2026 (5 Tests, 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is)
- Bangladesh home series: November 2026 (3 ODIs, 3 T20Is)
- South Africa tour: December 2026-January 2027 (2 Tests, 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is)
- Sri Lanka home series: February 2027 (3 ODIs, 3 T20Is)
- West Indies home series: March 2027 (2 Tests, 3 ODIs)
The packed schedule underscores the BCCI's commitment to providing ample international cricket for the team, ensuring they are well-prepared for the World Cup. Fans can expect a thrilling year of cricket ahead, with the Indian team aiming to dominate across all formats.
