Team India’s Schedule in 2026: A Closer Look on Team India’s Assignment for the Calendar Year

Cricket in India is thriving and kicking year after year. Like every year, the Indian fans are up for a thrilling ride in 2026. As per the ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP), the Men in Blue are slated to play a lot of games across formats in 2026, making it one of the busiest calendars for the Indian team in recent times. With bigger opponents and the biggest stages of them all, Team India is all set to go on a roller coaster ride, and the fans are surely up for it.

Team India’s Schedule in 2026: Month‑by‑Month Breakdown

• 11th-31st January – New Zealand Tour of India (3 ODIs and 5 T20Is)
  India begins the year with 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is in New Zealand, a crucial warm‑up for the T20 World Cup.
• 7 February–8 March – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
  The marquee event of the year. Team India will enter as the reigning champions and will look to become the title holder for a record 3rd time.
• 26th March–31st May – IPL 2026
  The premier franchise carnival returns, spotlighting emerging talent and shaping India’s T20 future.
• 1st-19th July – India’s Tour of England (5 T20Is and 3 ODIs)
  A white ball series in swinging English conditions. 5 T20Is followed by 3 ODIs. India battling in England is always a historic scene.
• August–September – Afghanistan vs India (3 T20Is)
  Afghanistan hosts India for a 3-match T20I series, most probably in the United Arab Emirates.
• September – West Indies Tour of India (3 ODIs and 5 T20Is)
  The Men from the Caribbean will be touring India for a white-ball series comprising 8 games, i.e., 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is.
• October – India Tour of New Zealand (2 Tests, 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is)
  A full-fledged series awaits Team India in New Zealand. The two teams will be squaring off across formats in 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, and 5 T20Is.
• December – India Tour of Sri Lanka (3 ODIs and 3 T20Is)
  Team India’s year will end on the coastal shores of Sri Lanka, with the Men in Blue set to play a 6-match white-ball series in Sri Lanka, i.e., 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is.

Quick Snapshot

** This is a tentative schedule and there could be changes as the year progresses

Key Talking Points

• More white ball matches: India’s busiest year in recent times.
• Major ICC event: T20 World Cup in February.
• High‑profile tours: England, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka.
• IPL spotlight: April–May, crucial for scouting talent.
• Squad rotation: Essential to manage workload and injuries.

Challenges Ahead

• Player Workload: Nearly 50 matches demand careful fitness management.
• Adaptability: India must adjust to diverse conditions, swing in England, pace in New Zealand, and spin at home.
• Bench Strength: Rotating players without compromising performance will test selectors’ strategies.

Team India’s 2026 calendar is a cricketing marathon. With bilateral series, ICC tournaments, and the IPL, fans are guaranteed non‑stop action. For players, it’s a test of endurance and adaptability. If India can balance workload and performance, they can tick all the boxes right in the upcoming calendar year.