India enters 2026 holding three championship titles: the T20 World Cup (2024), the Asian Games Gold (2023), and the Champions Trophy (2025). This year brings a different test. The focus shifts to precision over volume.
India plays just four Tests in 2026, two against England at home, two against Australia away. That’s the lowest Test count in years, and every match carries World Test Championship points. The ODI schedule has 15 games in bilateral series with England, the West Indies, and Bangladesh. T20 cricket is the most popular, with more than 25 games, including home series against England and Ireland.
The schedule covers 11 months, three continents, and more than 60 international games. Here’s what’s true, what’s at stake, and which fights are the most important.
India’s Full Cricket Calendar for 2026, with Dates, Venues, and Stakes
Indian cricket is coming into 2026 with a lot of momentum. They are the defending champions of three major tournaments: the T20 World Cup 2024, the Asian Games Gold 2023, and the Champions Trophy 2025.
This year, there are fewer Tests and strategically spaced white-ball cricket games, which puts more emphasis on accuracy than on volume. With over 60 international matches on three continents and IPL 2026, it’s important to plan ahead, manage player workloads, and switch up the squad.
The calendar blends high-stakes competition with preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup, while providing opportunities for emerging talent and injury comebacks. Every series carries narrative significance: WTC qualification, title defense, or squad experimentation.
| Month | Series / Tournament | Format & Matches | Venues | Key Stakes & Notes |
| January | New Zealand (Home) | 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is | Vadodara, Rajkot, Indore, Nagpur, Raipur, Guwahati, Vizag, Trivandrum | T20 WC warm-up, squad depth test, Mohammed Shami return, BCA Stadium international debut |
| February | T20 World Cup Group Stage | Group A matches | Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Colombo | Defending champions, high-pressure home conditions |
| Feb–Mar | T20 World Cup Knockouts | Super 8s, Semis, Final | India & Sri Lanka | Title defense, final on March 8 in Ahmedabad |
| March–May | IPL 2026 | League + Playoffs | 10 venues in India | Workload management post-World Cup |
| June | Afghanistan (Home) | 1 Test, 3 ODIs | TBA | Afghanistan’s first Test in India, red-ball match time |
| July | England (Away) | 5 T20Is, 3 ODIs | Durham, Manchester, Nottingham, Bristol, Southampton, Birmingham, Cardiff, Lord’s | 2027 ODI WC prep, possible Shubman Gill captaincy |
| August | Sri Lanka (Away) | 2 Tests | TBA | Must-win WTC series, spin-heavy conditions |
| September | Bangladesh (Away) | 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is | TBA | Squad experimentation, ODI depth |
| September | Afghanistan (Away/Neutral) | 3 T20Is | TBA | Competitive T20 series, venue undecided |
| Sept–Oct | Asian Games (Japan) | Multi-match tournament | Nagoya, Aichi | Gold medal defense, squad rotation |
| Oct–Nov | West Indies (Home) | 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is | TBA | ODI core finalization, T20 experimentation |
| Oct–Nov | New Zealand (Away) | 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is | TBA | Crucial WTC Tests, final overseas tour |
| December | Sri Lanka (Home) | 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is | TBA | End-of-year series, bench strength testing |
January: New Zealand Series at Home
India and New Zealand start the year with a full bilateral series that includes three ODIs and five T20Is in different cities. This series is very important for getting ready for the T20 World Cup and for seeing how well India can manage its players and squad depth when they have a lot of games to play.
India’s pace attack will get stronger when Mohammed Shami comes back from injury. Michael Bracewell is the captain of New Zealand’s ODI team, and Mitchell Santner is the captain of their T20I team. This makes them tough opponents in all formats. The first ODI on January 11 at Vadodara’s BCA Stadium marks the stadium’s international debut. Rajkot and Indore host the remaining ODIs, allowing India to rotate players and test strategies.
The T20 leg runs from January 21 in Nagpur to January 31 in Trivandrum, giving Suryakumar Yadav, the T20 captain, a platform to build momentum before the World Cup. Players on the fringes and those who might make the T20 World Cup squad will also have a chance to show what they can do.
Important Points and Stakes:
- ODIs: January 11 in Vadodara, January 14 in Rajkot, and January 18 in Indore
- T20Is: January 21 in Nagpur, January 23 in Raipur, January 25 in Guwahati, January 28 in Vizag, and January 31 in Trivandrum
- Mohammed Shami is back from an injury.
- Vadodara’s BCA Stadium hosted its first international match.
February: Group Stage of the T20 World Cup
India is the defending champion of the T20 World Cup and is hosting the tournament with Sri Lanka. The pressure to defend the title on home soil is massive, but so is the advantage of familiar conditions and crowd support.
India sits in Group A alongside Pakistan, the USA, Ireland, Canada, and Namibia. Suryakumar Yadav captains the T20I squad, with Axar Patel serving as vice-captain. The group stage matches are spread across India’s biggest cricket venues, starting with the USA clash at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7.
The India-Pakistan match on February 15 in Colombo will draw massive viewership, as it always does. Matches against Namibia in Delhi and the Netherlands in Ahmedabad complete the group fixtures.
Every match matters for momentum heading into the Super 8s. India’s squad depth and home advantage make them favorites, but tournament cricket has a way of surprising everyone.
Key Fixtures:
- India vs. the USA on February 7 at 7:00 PM at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai
- India vs. Namibia on February 12 at 7:00 PM at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi
- India and Pakistan will play at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 15 at 7:00 PM.
- India and the Netherlands will play at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 18 at 7:00 PM.
SUGGESTED READ: T20 World Cup 2026 matches: India and Pakistan in the Same Group
February-March: T20 World Cup Knockouts
The knockout rounds will decide if India can keep their T20 World Cup title. The Super 8s take place in India and Sri Lanka from February 21 to March 2. They narrow the field down to four teams.
The semifinals will be held on March 4 and 5 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata and Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The final will take place on March 8 at 7:00 PM at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, which is India’s biggest cricket stadium. The tournament ends only 18 days before IPL 2026 starts, so players don’t have much time to recover.
Schedule for the knockout:
- Super 8s: February 21 to March 2 (in different places in India and Sri Lanka)
- The semifinals will be on March 4 and 5 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata and Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
- Final: March 8 at 7:00 PM at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium
IPL 2026: March to May
There are 10 places in India where the Indian Premier League will be held from March 26 to May 31. How far teams go in the T20 World Cup knockouts will determine how many players are available. Those who reach the final on March 8 get barely two weeks before IPL action begins, raising questions about workload management and injury risks.
Franchises will rely heavily on squad depth during the tournament’s early weeks as international stars recover from World Cup fatigue.
June: Afghanistan at Home
India hosts Afghanistan for one Test and three ODIs in June, though exact venues haven’t been announced by the BCCI yet. This marks Afghanistan’s first Test match in India, a historic milestone for Afghan cricket’s rapid rise.
The series provides India’s red-ball players with crucial match time, given only four Tests are scheduled for the entire year. Afghanistan’s improving Test credentials make this more than a formality.
July: White-Ball Tour of England
India’s white-ball tour of England includes five T20Is and three ODIs spread across July. The T20I series runs from July 1 in Durham through July 11 in Southampton, covering Manchester, Nottingham, and Bristol along the way.
The ODI series starts July 14 in Birmingham, moves to Cardiff on July 16, and concludes at Lord’s on July 19. The series ends at Lord’s, giving India’s ODI squad a high-profile stage ahead of the 2027 World Cup cycle.
The weather in England in July is unpredictable and hard, which makes it a good way to get ready for future ICC tournaments.
Schedule of the Tour:
- 5 T20Is: July 1 in Durham, July 4 in Manchester, July 7 in Nottingham, July 9 in Bristol, and July 11 in Southampton.
- 3 ODIs: July 14 in Birmingham, July 16 in Cardiff, and July 19 in Lord’s
August: Test Series in Sri Lanka
India will play two Tests in Sri Lanka in August. The locations have not yet been announced. India needs to win both games to stay in the running for the WTC Final. This series is very important for the red-ball team’s confidence and ability to keep going since there are only four Tests scheduled for the whole year.
Sri Lanka’s spin-friendly conditions put India’s batting depth and strategic planning to the test.When WTC points are on the line, every session counts.
September: Bangladesh Tour
In September, India will play Bangladesh in three ODIs and three T20Is. The locations will be announced later. The Bangladesh Cricket Board and BCCI moved the tour from August 2025 to September 2026 to make room for other international commitments.
This two-way series gives India another chance to try out different combinations before the 2027 ODI World Cup and gives less well-known players a chance to make their case for regular spots.
SUGGESTED READ: ICC Rejects Bangladesh T20 World Cup Venue Shift Request
September: Afghanistan T20Is (Part Two)
Afghanistan hosts India for three T20Is in September, though the exact venue remains unclear. The T20I series was separated from June’s Test and ODI fixtures to fit India’s tour of England in July.
Details on whether these matches happen in Afghanistan or at a neutral venue haven’t been confirmed yet. Afghanistan’s home advantage, wherever it’s played, makes this series more competitive than past encounters.
September-October: Asian Games 2026 in Japan
Cricket returns to the Asian Games from September 19 to October 4 in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture, Japan. India defended its gold medal from the 2023 Asian Games, where Ruturaj Gaikwad captained the squad to victory.
The tournament falls between bilateral series commitments, requiring careful squad rotation to manage player workload.
October-November: West Indies in India
India hosts the West Indies for three ODIs and five T20Is in October and November, though exact dates and venues haven’t been released. Another home series focused on preparing for the 2027 ODI World Cup; this bilateral assignment gives India chance to finalize their core ODI squad.
The T20I leg provides opportunities for experimentation without World Cup pressure, allowing younger players to develop in familiar home conditions.
October-November: Tour of New Zealand
India’s last big trip outside of their home country in 2026 will be to New Zealand, where they will play two Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is. The venues haven’t been announced yet, but the tour is very important in all formats.
The two Tests are important for India’s red-ball goals because they are part of the WTC Final calculations. The white-ball matches give squads one final look before the year wraps, particularly for players fighting for spots in the 2027 World Cup planning.
New Zealand’s seaming conditions provide a stern test for India’s batting and bowling units, especially in the Test matches, where survival becomes as important as scoring runs.
December: Sri Lanka in India
The year closes with Sri Lanka touring India for three ODIs and three T20Is in December. Dates and venues are still pending from the BCCI, but the series serves as the final international assignment before the 2027 World Cup year begins.
India can rest its best players during this home series and give new players who have done well in domestic cricket a chance to play. Sri Lanka is a tough opponent even in a bilateral series because they play competitive white-ball cricket.
What Makes 2026 Different?
India hosts the T20 World Cup alongside Sri Lanka in February and March. They’ll also defend their Asian Games gold medal in Japan come September. The Champions Trophy win from 2025 adds momentum, but defending titles creates pressure that’s hard to measure until you’re in it.
The World Test Championship Math
India needs a 2-0 clean sweep in Sri Lanka this August to stay in the WTC Final race for 2025-27. The two-Test series in New Zealand during October and November will also shape their chances. With only 4 Tests all year, there’s zero room for slip-ups.
Gambhir Under Pressure
The 0-2 home series defeat to South Africa in 2025 raised questions about India’s red-ball approach. With just four Tests in 2026, two against England in February at home and two against Australia in November-December away, Gambhir has limited chances to fix things. Critics already want him to reconsider the “extra batting cushion” strategy that’s dominated recent team selections.
Who Leads India Through 2026?
Suryakumar Yadav captains India’s T20I squad, with the World Cup defense his primary focus. Rohit Sharma leads the ODI team, targeting the 2027 World Cup. Shubman Gill might captain the England tour in July, though nothing’s been confirmed yet. The Test captaincy situation remains unchanged for now.
Squad Storylines to Follow
The main topic of injury-watch talks is when Mohammed Shami will be back. Shreyas Iyer missed the 2025 South Africa series because he was hurt, so his return is a big part of the story. Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson are still fighting for the wicketkeeping spot, and both are on the T20 World Cup team. Hardik Pandya’s role as an all-rounder is still very important to India’s plans for white-ball cricket.
Where to Watch Team India in 2026?
Home Series Broadcasts:
- JioCinema and Star Sports will broadcast all of India’s home series in 2026.
- Covers England Tests in February and ODI/T20 series against West Indies, Bangladesh, and Ireland.
Away Tours Broadcasts:
- Australia’s Seven Network and Foxtel will broadcast the November-December Test series in Australia.
- England’s Sky Sports will cover the white-ball series in England in September.
- Each host nation controls broadcast rights for matches played on their soil.
T20 World Cup 2026 (India & Sri Lanka):
- Global broadcast deals are not finalized yet.
- Star Sports and JioCinema are expected to secure Indian rights.
- Official announcements are still pending.
Asian Games 2026:
- Host broadcasters in China will lead coverage.
- Indian streaming partners will be confirmed closer to the September event.
When Comparison with 2025:
- Disney+ Hotstar lost the rights to show cricket after Star and Reliance merged.
- In the middle of the year, JioCinema took over, which made it hard for fans to switch apps during the Champions Trophy.2026 Advantage:
2026 Advantage:
- JioCinema has the right to show the whole year from day one, so there won’t be any problems with switching apps in 2025.
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FAQ
1. What is India’s Test schedule for 2026?
There will be four Tests: one against Afghanistan in June (at home), two in Sri Lanka in August, and two in New Zealand in October and November.
2. Where are the Asian Games 2026 being held?
The Asian Games 2026 take place in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. Cricket rarely appears at Asian Games in Japan.
3. How can India qualify for the WTC Final 2025-27?
India needs to win all of its games in Sri Lanka and do well in New Zealand. The exact situations depend on how well Australia, England, and other teams do.
4. When does the IPL 2026 season start and end?
From March 26 to May 31, 2026, IPL will take place in 10 places in India. The tournament starts 18 days after the final of the T20 World Cup.
5. How many matches will India play in 2026?
More than 60 international games in all three formats, plus IPL 2026.
