The India men’s 2026 cricket schedule spans all three formats across 12 months.
India starts with a home series, defends their T20 World Cup title, and finishes with tough overseas assignments.
This year includes around 49 bilateral matches plus multi-nation tournaments.
The calendar features white-ball tours to England and New Zealand, Test cricket in Sri Lanka, and home series against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
India Men’s Cricket Schedule 2026
Quick Overview of India’s 2026 Cricket Calendar
Here’s what India’s year looks like from January through December.
| Month(s) | Series/Tournament | Format | Venue | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | New Zealand tour of India | 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is | India (Multiple) | Completed |
| Feb–Mar | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | T20I | India & Sri Lanka | Ongoing |
| Mar–May | Indian Premier League | T20 | India | Confirmed |
| Jun | Afghanistan tour of India | 1 Test, 3 ODIs | New Chandigarh, etc. | Confirmed |
| Jul | India tour of England | 5 T20Is, 3 ODIs | England | Confirmed |
| Aug | India tour of Sri Lanka | 2 Tests (WTC), 2 T20Is | Sri Lanka | Planned |
| Sep | India vs West Indies | 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is | India | Planned |
| Sep–Oct | 2026 Asian Games | T20I | Japan | Confirmed |
| Oct–Nov | India tour of New Zealand | 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is | New Zealand | Planned |
| Dec | Sri Lanka tour of India | 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is | India | Planned |
January: New Zealand Tour of India
India opened 2026 with a white-ball series against New Zealand. The series ran from January 11 to January 31 across seven Indian cities.
This marked the final preparation before the T20 World Cup. Selectors used these eight matches to finalize squad choices.
ODI Results (January 11-18)
The three-match ODI series went 2-1 to New Zealand.
- 1st ODI (Jan 11, Vadodara): India won by 4 wickets
- 2nd ODI (Jan 14, Rajkot): New Zealand won by 7 wickets
- 3rd ODI (Jan 18, Indore): New Zealand won by 41 runs
All matches started at 1:30 PM IST.
T20I Results (January 21-31)
India claimed the T20I series 4-1.
- 1st T20I (Jan 21, Nagpur): India won by 48 runs
- 2nd T20I (Jan 23, Raipur): India won by 7 wickets
- 3rd T20I (Jan 25, Guwahati): India won by 8 wickets
- 4th T20I (Jan 28, Visakhapatnam): New Zealand won by 50 runs
- 5th T20I (Jan 31, Thiruvananthapuram): India won by 46 runs
Evening matches kicked off at 7:00 PM IST.
February-March: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
India and Sri Lanka co-host the ninth T20 World Cup from February 7 to March 8. India enters as defending champions after their 2024 Caribbean triumph.
Suryakumar Yadav leads this squad. India sits in Group A with Pakistan, the Netherlands, the United States, and Namibia.
India’s Group Stage Matches
India men’s 2026 cricket schedule venue details for the group stage:
| Date | Match | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 7 | India vs USA | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | India won by 29 runs |
| Feb 12 | India vs Namibia | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | India won by 93 runs |
| Feb 15 | India vs Pakistan | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | India won by 61 runs |
| Feb 18 | India vs Netherlands | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | India won by 17 runs |
The Super Eights stage places India in Group 1. They face South Africa, the West Indies, Zimbabwe, and one qualifier.
India last hosted a men’s T20 World Cup in 2016. West Indies won that tournament.
March-May: Indian Premier League 2026
The IPL runs from March 26 to May 31. No international cricket happens during this window.
Indian players focus completely on franchise commitments. Selectors watch performances closely before picking squads for upcoming tours.
June: Afghanistan Tour of India
Afghanistan visits India for one Test and three ODIs. The exact dates aren’t confirmed yet.
India Next Cricket Match Schedule (Afghanistan Series)
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 6-10 | Only Test | New Chandigarh |
| June 14 | 1st ODI | Dharamshala |
| June 17 | 2nd ODI | Lucknow |
| June 20 | 3rd ODI | Chennai |
These ODIs feed into India’s 2027 World Cup preparations. That tournament takes place in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
July: India Tour of England
India heads to England for white-ball cricket from July 1 to July 19. The tour includes five T20Is and three ODIs.
India Men’s 2026 Cricket Schedule Time (England T20Is)
All times listed are British Summer 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 Series)
The ODI series wraps up the tour:
- 1st ODI (July 14, Birmingham): 1:00 PM
- 2nd ODI (July 16, Cardiff): 1:00 PM
- 3rd ODI (July 19, Lord’s, London): 11:00 AM
The Lord’s finale offers special appeal. India draws huge crowds in England. A series decider at the Home of Cricket creates the perfect ending.
August-September: India Tour of Sri Lanka
India travels to Sri Lanka for two Tests in August and September. Both matches count toward the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.
India’s Test form dropped in 2025. They lost 0-2 at home to South Africa and won just four of ten Tests that year.
This Sri Lanka tour offers crucial WTC points. It’s also a chance to rebuild Test confidence.
Exact dates and venues aren’t announced yet.
September-October: Asian Games 2026
Cricket returns to the Asian Games. The tournament runs from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan.
Ten teams compete in the men’s T20I format. ICC rankings determine qualification.
India won gold at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. They’ll look to defend that title.
The BCCI hasn’t confirmed the squad yet. Expect a mix of senior players and rising talent.
October-November: India Tour of New Zealand
India plays a full tour in New Zealand during October and November. The schedule includes two WTC Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is.
New Zealand provides tough conditions for visiting teams. These Tests could decide India’s WTC final chances.
Dates and venues remain unconfirmed.
December: Sri Lanka Tour of India
India closes out their India cricket schedule 2026 27 by hosting Sri Lanka. The series features three ODIs and three T20Is.
This home assignment caps a long year. It also continues ODI World Cup preparation ahead of the 2027 tournament.
Specific dates and venues aren’t set yet.
Expert Analysis: What’s at Stake in 2026
India faces multiple targets this year. Each competition carries weight.
The T20 World Cup defense happens on home soil. India won in Barbados in 2024. Expectations run high for Suryakumar Yadav’s team to repeat.
The World Test Championship race intensifies with four away Tests. Sri Lanka and New Zealand aren’t easy tours.
India needs strong results after their 2025 home losses hurt their WTC standing.
ODI preparation matters too. India plays 18 ODIs this year. Every series tests combinations before the 2027 World Cup.
The workload across 49+ matches means rotation. Younger players get real chances to cement their spots.
India Next Series 2026: Key Themes
Several storylines run through the year:
- Home World Cup pressure: Can India deliver another T20 title in front of home crowds?
- Away Test challenges: How will the batting lineup handle Sri Lankan spin and New Zealand seam?
- Squad depth testing: Who steps up when senior players rest?
- Format balance: Can India maintain consistency across all three formats?
My take? The busiest part comes between June and November. That stretch includes England, Sri Lanka, the Asian Games, and New Zealand. Squad management becomes critical there.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When does India’s next cricket match start?
India’s schedule continues with the Afghanistan series in June 2026, followed by the England tour in July.
- How many ODIs will India play in 2026?
India plays approximately 18 ODIs across the year, including series against Afghanistan, England, West Indies, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka.
- Which venues host India men’s 2026 cricket fixtures?
Home matches span multiple Indian cities. Away tours take India to England, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Japan for the Asian Games.
- What’s India’s World Test Championship schedule for 2026?
India plays two Tests in Sri Lanka (August-September) and two in New Zealand (October-November), all counting toward the WTC 2025-27 cycle.
- Does the IPL affect India’s international calendar?
Yes. The IPL runs from March 26 to May 31. No international cricket happens during that period.
Wrapping Up:
The India men’s 2026 cricket schedule time table covers every format across 12 months.
From defending the T20 World Cup to chasing WTC points on tough away tours, this year tests every aspect of Indian cricket.
The schedule builds toward 2027.
That year brings the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia and the ODI World Cup.
Every match in 2026 shapes what comes next.
India’s depth, rotation strategy, and performance in big moments will define this year.
The calendar is relentless. The rewards are worth it.
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