The year 2026 is set to be an exciting and action-packed season for Indian cricket, with several important international series lined up across all three formats. From key home fixtures to challenging overseas tours, India’s calendar is well-structured to prepare the team for major ICC events and to maintain momentum throughout the year.
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January 2026 – India vs New Zealand (Home Series)
India begins its 2026 campaign with a home series against New Zealand in January. The tour features 3 ODIs followed by 5 T20 Internationals, offering India significant match practice ahead of the T20 World Cup scheduled shortly after.
ODI Series (January 11–18):
- 1st ODI – Baroda
- 2nd ODI – Rajkot
- 3rd ODI – Indore
All three ODIs are scheduled for the afternoon, making them ideal for Indian home crowds.
T20I Series (January 21–31):
- Nagpur
- Raipur
- Guwahati
- Visakhapatnam
- Thiruvananthapuram
The T20 matches are expected to be played under lights, giving players a chance to adjust to night conditions before the global tournament.
This series is extremely important because it directly precedes the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Playing New Zealand at home helps India fine-tune combinations, test bench strength, and adapt to local pitches.
February–March 2026 – ICC T20 World Cup
India co-hosts the T20 World Cup, with matches spread across Indian and Sri Lankan venues. As co-hosts, India will play most of its group-stage matches at home. The event is expected to bring massive fan engagement and high entertainment, with India aiming to claim another T20 World Cup title after years of near misses.
June 2026 – India vs Afghanistan (Likely Home Series)
Around mid-2026, India is expected to host Afghanistan for a short red-ball and limited-overs assignment. The tentative plan includes:
- 1 Test
- 3 ODIs
Though final dates may shift, this series offers India a balanced mid-year contest and provides Afghanistan valuable exposure against a top-tier side.
July 2026 – India Tour of England (White-Ball Only)
One of the most anticipated tours of 2026 is India’s trip to England in July. This tour focuses solely on white-ball cricket and does not include any Test matches. It features 5 T20Is followed by 3 ODIs.
T20I Series (July 1–11):
Matches will be played at major English venues such as Durham, Manchester, Nottingham, Bristol, and Southampton. This series will challenge India in swinging conditions and help the team assess its adaptability.
ODI Series (July 14–19):
- 1st ODI – Birmingham
- 2nd ODI – Cardiff
- 3rd ODI – Lord’s, London
The ODI leg provides India with valuable 50-over practice in English conditions, especially important considering future ICC events scheduled in England.
September–October 2026 – India vs West Indies (Home Series, Expected)
Later in the year, India is likely to host the West Indies for a white-ball series. The expected structure includes:
- 3 ODIs
- 5 T20Is
This series usually draws high excitement, given the flair of Caribbean cricket and India’s dominance at home.
October–November 2026 – India Tour of New Zealand (Tentative)
India is also expected to travel to New Zealand toward the end of the year for a multi-format tour that may consist of:
- 2 Tests
- 3 ODIs
- 5 T20Is
These matches will test India in seaming and bouncy conditions, making the tour crucial for developing overseas adaptability.
December 2026 – India vs Sri Lanka (Possible Home Series)
The year is expected to conclude with a home series against Sri Lanka, featuring both ODIs and T20Is. This will wrap up the season and give India a chance to rotate players before entering the 2027 calendar.
Conclusion
India’s cricket schedule for 2026 is extensive, diverse, and strategically crafted. Beginning with crucial preparation for the T20 World Cup and continuing with high-profile tours such as England and New Zealand, the year offers competitive cricket across formats. The mixture of home comfort and overseas challenges ensures that Team India remains sharp, tested, and ready for future ICC events.
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