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NEW DELHI: India’s men’s cricket team heads into 2026 aiming to build on a strong white ball run and address red ball inconsistencies from 2025. With a packed calendar featuring the T20 World Cup, key WTC fixtures and multiple high profile bilateral series, the year promises sustained action.

Senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be central to the narrative, while a busy mix of Tests, ODIs and T20Is keeps India firmly in the global spotlight.

January 2026: New Zealand tour of India

India begin the year at home against New Zealand with a white ball heavy series that sets the tone for the season.

  • ODI series (3 matches)

    • January 11: 1st ODI at Vadodara

    • January 14: 2nd ODI at Rajkot

    • January 18: 3rd ODI at Indore

  • T20I series (5 matches)

    • January 21: 1st T20I at Nagpur

    • January 23: 2nd T20I at Raipur

    • January 25: 3rd T20I at Guwahati

    • January 28: 4th T20I at Visakhapatnam

    • January 31: 5th T20I at Thiruvananthapuram

February–March 2026: T20 World Cup

All eyes shift to the T20 World Cup as India chase another global title under pressure to deliver.

  • Group stage

    • February 7: vs USA at Mumbai

    • February 12: vs Namibia at Delhi

    • February 15: vs Pakistan at Colombo

    • February 18: vs Netherlands at Ahmedabad

  • Super 8s

    • February 21 to March 1 at multiple venues if qualified

  • Knockouts

    • March 5: Semifinal at Mumbai if qualified

    • March 8: Final at Ahmedabad if qualified

March–May 2026: Indian Premier League

The IPL takes centre stage once again, running from March 26 to May 31, serving as both entertainment and a key selection window ahead of the international season.

June 2026: Afghanistan tour of India

India return to red ball cricket with a short but important home assignment.

  • 1 Test and 3 ODIs

    • Dates and venues yet to be announced

July 2026: India tour of England

A challenging away tour featuring white ball cricket across iconic English venues.

  • T20I series (5 matches)

    • July 1: Chester-le-Street

    • July 4: Manchester

    • July 7: Nottingham

    • July 9: Bristol

    • July 11: Southampton

  • ODI series (3 matches)

    • July 14: Birmingham

    • July 16: Cardiff

    • July 19: Lord’s

August 2026: India tour of Sri Lanka

  • Test series (2 matches)

    • Dates and venues yet to be announced

    • Crucial fixtures in the World Test Championship cycle

September 2026: Afghanistan series and continental focus

  • Afghanistan vs India

    • 3 T20Is

    • Dates and venues yet to be announced

  • Asian Games

    • Held in Japan

    • Squad composition and participation details awaited

  • West Indies tour of India

    • 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is

    • Dates and venues yet to be confirmed

October–November 2026: India tour of New Zealand

A vital overseas red ball challenge late in the year.

  • Test series (2 matches)

  • ODI series (3 matches)

  • Full schedule yet to be announced

December 2026: Sri Lanka tour of India

India close the year with a home white ball series.

  • ODIs (3 matches)

  • T20Is (3 matches)

  • Dates and venues to be confirmed