India’s cricket calendar for 2026 packs in nearly 50 bilateral matches plus two major tournaments.
The year started with New Zealand at home and runs through to a December series against Sri Lanka.
Between those bookends, India defends their T20 World Cup crown on home soil, battles for World Test Championship points in Sri Lanka and New Zealand, and plays white-ball cricket in England.
The ICC’s Future Tours Programme confirms this as one of the most demanding schedules in recent years.
India Men’s Cricket Schedule 2026
Let’s break down every series, venue, and key date.
India Men’s 2026 Cricket Fixtures
This table shows India men’s 2026 cricket fixtures across all formats.
| Month(s) | Opposition/Event | Format | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | New Zealand (Home) | 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is | Multiple Indian venues | Completed |
| Feb–Mar | T20 World Cup | T20I | India & Sri Lanka | Ongoing |
| Mar–May | IPL 2026 | T20 (Domestic) | India | Confirmed |
| June | Afghanistan (Home) | 1 Test, 3 ODIs | New Chandigarh, others | Confirmed |
| July | England (Away) | 5 T20Is, 3 ODIs | England | Confirmed |
| August | Sri Lanka (Away) | 2 Tests, 2 T20Is | Sri Lanka | Planned |
| September | West Indies (Home) | 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is | India | Planned |
| Sep–Oct | Asian Games | T20I | Japan | Confirmed |
| Oct–Nov | New Zealand (Away) | 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is | New Zealand | Planned |
| December | Sri Lanka (Home) | 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is | India | Planned |
January White-Ball Series vs New Zealand
India kicked off 2026 by hosting New Zealand for eight white-ball matches. The series spanned seven cities from January 11 to 31.
Timing mattered here. This was India’s last chance to test combinations before naming their T20 World Cup squad.
Three-Match ODI Series
New Zealand took the ODI series 2-1.
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | Jan 11 | Vadodara | 1:30 PM | India won by 4 wickets |
| 2nd ODI | Jan 14 | Rajkot | 1:30 PM | NZ won by 7 wickets |
| 3rd ODI | Jan 18 | Indore | 1:30 PM | NZ won by 41 runs |
Five-Match T20I Series
India bounced back in the T20Is, winning 4-1.
- Match 1 (Jan 21, Nagpur, 7:00 PM): India won by 48 runs
- Match 2 (Jan 23, Raipur, 7:00 PM): India won by 7 wickets
- Match 3 (Jan 25, Guwahati, 7:00 PM): India won by 8 wickets
- Match 4 (Jan 28, Visakhapatnam, 7:00 PM): NZ won by 50 runs
- Match 5 (Jan 31, Thiruvananthapuram, 7:00 PM): India won by 46 runs
The T20I dominance gave selectors confidence heading into the World Cup.
T20 World Cup 2026: India and Sri Lanka Host
The ninth T20 World Cup runs from February 7 to March 8. India and Sri Lanka share hosting duties.
India enters as defending champions. They won the 2024 edition in the Caribbean and the USA under Rohit Sharma. Suryakumar Yadav captains this time.
Group A Fixtures
India sits in Group A with Pakistan, the Netherlands, the USA, and Namibia.
Here’s how India men’s 2026 cricket schedule venue allocation worked for their group games:
| Date | Opposition | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 7 | USA | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | Won by 29 runs |
| Feb 12 | Namibia | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | Won by 93 runs |
| Feb 15 | Pakistan | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | Won by 61 runs |
| Feb 18 | Netherlands | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | Won by 17 runs |
Four wins from four send India through to Super Eights Group 1. Potential opponents there include South Africa, the West Indies, Zimbabwe, and a qualifier.
This marks India’s first time hosting a men’s T20 World Cup since 2016. West Indies won that tournament.
IPL 2026 Window
The Indian Premier League takes place from March 26 to May 31.
International cricket pauses completely during this period.
Indian players commit to their franchises full-time.
For selectors, the IPL serves as a live form guide.
They track fitness and performances before resuming international action in June.
June Series Against Afghanistan
Afghanistan tours India for one Test and three ODIs immediately after the IPL ends.
The BCCI hasn’t locked in exact dates and venues yet. Here’s what’s planned:
- Test Match: June 6-10 at New Chandigarh
- 1st ODI: June 14 at Dharamshala
- 2nd ODI: June 17 at Lucknow
- 3rd ODI: June 20 at Chennai
These ODIs matter for 2027 World Cup prep. That tournament happens in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
England Tour in July
India next cricket match schedule after Afghanistan takes them to England. The tour runs July 1-19 with five T20Is and three ODIs.
India Men’s 2026 Cricket Schedule Time Table (England T20Is)
Times shown in British Summer Time:
| Match | Date | Ground | Start Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | July 1 | Chester-le-Street | 6:30 PM |
| 2nd T20I | July 4 | Manchester | 2:30 PM |
| 3rd T20I | July 7 | Nottingham | 6:30 PM |
| 4th T20I | July 9 | Bristol | 6:30 PM |
| 5th T20I | July 11 | Southampton | 6:30 PM |
India Upcoming ODI Matches 2026 (England)
The ODI leg follows immediately:
- 1st ODI: July 14 at Birmingham (1:00 PM)
- 2nd ODI: July 16 at Cardiff (1:00 PM)
- 3rd ODI: July 19 at Lord’s, London (11:00 AM)
The Lord’s match stands out. India pulls massive crowds in England. A potential decider at the Home of Cricket makes for perfect theater.
Sri Lanka Test Tour in August
India heads to Sri Lanka for two Tests in August and September. Both count toward the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.
Context matters here. India’s Test cricket struggled in 2025. A 0-2 home loss to South Africa hurt. They won just four Tests from ten that year.
These two Sri Lankan Tests offer crucial WTC points. They’re also a chance to rebuild Test form and confidence.
Dates and venues aren’t confirmed yet.
Asian Games Cricket Tournament
Cricket returns to the Asian Games from September 19 to October 4. Aichi and Nagoya in Japan host the event.
Ten teams compete in the T20I format. ICC rankings determine which nations qualify.
India won gold at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. They’ll defend that title in Japan.
The BCCI hasn’t named a squad yet. Expect senior players mixed with younger talent.
Full Tour of New Zealand
India travels to New Zealand in October and November for a complete tour.
The schedule includes two WTC Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is.
New Zealand conditions have troubled Indian teams historically.
These Tests could decide India’s WTC final qualification.
Dates and specific venues remain unconfirmed.
December Home Series vs Sri Lanka
India cricket schedule 2026 27 wraps up with Sri Lanka visiting in December.
Three ODIs and three T20Is close out the year.
This home series provides another block of ODI preparation before the 2027 World Cup.
Exact dates and venues aren’t set.
Expert Insight: Critical Phases and Pressure Points
Look at the schedule in three chunks.
January to March focuses on T20 cricket. The World Cup defense happens on home pitches.
Pressure runs high after the 2024 triumph. Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy gets tested with massive expectations.
June to September brings the real grind. England tour, Sri Lanka Tests, West Indies at home, Asian Games.
That’s four separate assignments in four months. Squad rotation becomes essential here.
October to December features the toughest cricket. New Zealand away rarely goes smoothly for India.
Those two Tests could make or break WTC final hopes. Coming after months of non-stop cricket, fatigue management matters.
My view? The August Sri Lanka Tests are the hidden crunch point.
Lose there, and the WTC final slips away before New Zealand even starts.
What does this schedule reveal?
Several themes run through 2026:
- Home advantage for T20 World Cup: India gets the crowd, conditions, and familiarity. Anything less than the final disappoints fans.
- Away Test survival: Four Tests in Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Both tours demand patience and skill, which India hasn’t always shown abroad.
- ODI combinations testing: Eighteen ODIs spread across the year. Each series fine-tunes the 2027 World Cup squad.
- Depth and rotation needs: Nearly 50 matches means rest periods. Younger players get chances to stake claims.
The workload alone tells you something. India can’t play the same XI everywhere. Squad depth determines success.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What’s India next series 2026 after the T20 World Cup?
After the World Cup and IPL, India hosts Afghanistan in June for one Test and three ODIs.
- How many matches will India play in 2026?
Approximately 49 bilateral matches plus T20 World Cup and Asian Games fixtures.
- Where can I find India men’s 2026 cricket schedule time for England series?
The England tour runs July 1-19. T20Is start at 6:30 PM or 2:30 PM BST. ODIs begin at 1:00 PM or 11:00 AM BST.
- Which Tests count for the World Test Championship?
The two Tests in Sri Lanka (August) and two in New Zealand (October-November) all count toward WTC 2025-27.
- Will India play any day-night Tests in 2026?
Match formats and timings for Sri Lanka and New Zealand Tests haven’t been confirmed yet.
Final Thoughts
India men’s 2026 cricket schedule demands everything from this squad.
Home World Cup defense, away Test challenges, and constant ODI preparation. The calendar doesn’t offer breathing room.
How India rotates players, handles pressure moments, and performs in unfamiliar conditions shapes this year.
Every series connects to bigger goals. The T20 World Cup. The WTC final race. The 2027 ODI World Cup buildup.
December closes the book on 2026. But 2027 brings Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the ODI World Cup itself.
This year sets up what comes next. India needs to make it count.
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