India Cricket Schedule 2026: ODI, Test & T20I Fixtures
Check the complete India cricket schedule for 2026, including all ODI, Test, and T20I fixtures. Stay updated with the full series list, World Cup matches, key tours, and FAQs.
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Introduction
The Indian men’s cricket team is set for an action-packed 2026 calendar year, featuring a busy mix of ODIs, Tests, and T20Is across home and overseas tours. From the opening limited-overs series against New Zealand in January to the T20 World Cup 2026 in February and crucial World Test Championship (WTC) fixtures later in the year, the Men in Blue will have a packed schedule.
According to the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP), India are slated to play 49 bilateral matches across formats in 2026, excluding the proposed Bangladesh tour which has been shelved indefinitely due to political and communal tensions.
Let’s take a detailed look at India’s complete cricket schedule for 2026, including ODI, Test, and T20I fixtures.
India Cricket Schedule 2026 – Overview
Total bilateral matches: 49
ODIs: 18
T20Is: 20
Tests: 11
Major events: T20 World Cup 2026, IPL 2026
Key focus: 2027 ODI World Cup preparation & WTC 2025–27 qualification
India’s ODI Schedule 2026
India will play 18 One-Day Internationals in 2026, keeping the 2027 ODI World Cup firmly in focus.
Key ODI Series in 2026
vs New Zealand (Home) – January
3 ODIs to kick off the year
vs Afghanistan (Away) – June
3 ODIs (post IPL 2026, details yet to be finalized)
vs England (Away) – July
3 ODIs on a challenging England tour
vs West Indies (Home/Away) – Later in 2026
3 ODIs
vs Sri Lanka – Second half of 2026
3 ODIs
vs New Zealand (Away) – October
3 ODIs during the New Zealand tour
Total ODIs in 2026: 18
These matches will be crucial in shaping India’s core ODI squad ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
India’s T20I Schedule 2026
T20 cricket will dominate the early part of the year, with the T20 World Cup 2026 being the main highlight.
T20 World Cup 2026
Opening match: February 7, 2026
Venue: Mumbai
Status: India enter as defending champions
India will begin their World Cup campaign at home, with massive expectations from fans.
Bilateral T20Is in 2026
vs New Zealand – January
vs England – Mid-year
vs West Indies & Sri Lanka – Later in the year
Total T20Is in 2026: 20
These games will help India finalize combinations and build bench strength beyond the World Cup.
India’s Test Schedule 2026 (WTC 2025–27)
With India’s Test form under scrutiny, the focus will shift to improving their World Test Championship standings.
Test Series in 2026
vs Sri Lanka (Away) – August
2 Test matches
vs New Zealand (Away) – Late 2026
2 Test matches
Other scheduled Tests
Spread across home and away series
Total Tests in 2026: 11
Led by Shubman Gill, India will look to strengthen their WTC credentials after recent inconsistencies in the longest format.
IPL 2026 Impact on India’s Schedule
As usual, the IPL 2026 will occupy the mid-year window, temporarily halting international cricket for Indian players. Post-IPL tours, especially the Afghanistan and England series, will test player workload management.
What’s Next After 2026?
Border-Gavaskar Trophy vs Australia (Home) – Early 2027
Continuation of the WTC 2025–27 cycle
Final build-up toward the 2027 ODI World Cup
India’s 2026 calendar sets the tone for a crucial transition phase in Indian cricket.
Why India’s 2026 Schedule Is Important
🏆 Defending the T20 World Cup title
🔁 Rebuilding Test dominance
🎯 Preparing for the 2027 ODI World Cup
🧠 Testing leadership depth under Shubman Gill
FAQs – India Cricket Schedule 2026
Q1. How many matches will India play in 2026?
India will play 49 bilateral matches across formats in 2026, excluding ICC tournaments.
Q2. How many ODIs will India play in 2026?
India are scheduled to play 18 ODIs.
Q3. When does India play the T20 World Cup 2026?
India will open their campaign on February 7, 2026, in Mumbai.
Q4. How many Test matches will India play in 2026?
India will play 11 Test matches as part of the WTC 2025–27 cycle.
Q5. Is India touring Bangladesh in 2026?
No, the Bangladesh tour has been shelved indefinitely.
Final Thoughts
The India cricket schedule for 2026 promises excitement, challenges, and major milestones. With a World Cup to defend and long-term goals like the 2027 ODI World Cup and WTC Final in sight, this year could define the future of Indian cricket.