India’s schedule across formats in 2026

Team India’s 2026 schedule across formats — full list of Tests, ODIs, and T20Is with key series and tournaments.

Team India will have a packed calendar ahead of them as they are scheduled to play as many as five Tests, 30+ T20Is, and 18 ODIs in the year 2026. The coming year will see India and Sri Lanka co-host the tenth edition of the ICC T20 World Cup. Additionally, many other exciting bilateral series are also on the cards, both home and away for the Men in Blue.

India’s bilateral series for the FTP 2026 (excluding T20 World Cup)

T20 World Cup in focus 
India will be defending their T20 World Cup title when the tenth edition of the tournament takes place at home and in Sri Lanka. They have an opportunity to be the first side not just to win on home soil but also the first to successfully defend the title. Not only that, India can become the first team to capture the title three times if they go on to win.

The Men in Blue, led by Suryakumar Yadav, will have just five T20Is, all against New Zealand, before the tournament commences on February 7. After the World Cup, where India could potentially play nine games (if they reach the final), they have 21 T20Is scheduled.

WTC Cycle – Challenging road ahead
India will go into the new year being sixth in the World Test Championship standings. They have played nine Tests across three series, losing four, including two at home. India would need to step up their Test game when they travel to Sri Lanka and New Zealand later in the year to give themselves a shot to reach the final. Apart from the four Tests part of the WTC cycle, they are also scheduled to play a one-off Test at home against Afghanistan in June.

Chance to ascertain team combination in ODIs
While there are no major tournaments happening in the 50-over format, 2026 gives a great chance for the team management to figure out the best possible 15 for the ICC World Cup 2027. They are scheduled to play a total of 18 ODIs, starting with the 3-match series against New Zealand in January.

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A look at the complete schedule for Team India across formats in 2026

New Zealand tour of India
New Zealand will be back in India for a white-ball leg comprising eight games across ODIs and T20Is. They had an unforgettable time in October 2024, when they whitewashed India 3-0 in Tests.

Both teams start 2026 with the first of three ODIs at Vadodara on January 11 before playing a five-match T20I series that will be the final set of games before the T20 World Cup.

ICC T20 World Cup 2026
India will start their World Cup defense against an impressive USA team at Mumbai on February 7, and will play teams like Namibia, arch-rivals Pakistan, and the Netherlands from Group A.  

Should they qualify for the next rounds, India will play their three Super Eight games at Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Kolkata respectively before heading into the knockouts (semi-final and final).

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Afghanistan tour of India
India will host Afghanistan for the third time, and the sides will play a one-off Test and three ODIs to cap off the tour.

India tour of England
In what should be a marquee cricketing summer in England, India will travel for a full white-ball series. The series is expected to be a high-scoring one and the tour will begin with a T20I game at Chester-le-Street.

India tour of Sri Lanka
India’s Test team will play its first WTC series of the year when they travel to Sri Lanka for two Tests. It will be India’s first Test tour to the Island nation and a must-win series for them, given their mediocre start to their WTC cycle.

India tour of Afghanistan
2026 will also see India touring Afghanistan for a three-match T20I series, and this could very well be in a neutral venue.

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West Indies tour of India
After their 2-0 drubbing at the hands of India in Tests in 2025, the West Indies will return to the country for the white-ball leg. Much like Tests, the home side will start as favorites to win both series – ODIs and T20Is.

India tour of New Zealand
India will face their stern test in this WTC cycle when they tour New Zealand for a two-match Test series. This will again be a must-win for the visitors, but their track record in New Zealand isn’t the best.

Aside from Tests, India will also play 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs, making it a complete tour.

Sri Lanka tour of India
The Men in Blue will conclude 2026 with Sri Lanka touring the country for three ODIs and as many T20Is.

Note: There could be changes to the schedule in terms of additional games or venue changes in the coming months.

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