India’s Cricket Calendar 2026: From T20 World Cup Glory to Asian Games Action
Indian men's cricket team faces packed 2026 schedule including T20 World Cup defence and multiple bilateral series.
The Indian men’s cricket team is gearing up for a hectic 2026, featuring a mix of high-profile tournaments and bilateral series. The year kicks off with a challenging home series against New Zealand, followed by the much-anticipated T20 World Cup on Indian soil. Fans can expect an action-packed calendar as India aims to defend their T20 title and maintain dominance across formats.
India will host New Zealand for five T20Is and three ODIs, with the tour running from January 11 to January 31. The series will provide the perfect buildup to the T20 World Cup, giving key players a chance to fine-tune their strategies against a strong opponent. Team management will likely focus on balancing player workloads ahead of the global event.
The T20 World Cup 2026 is set to commence on February 7, marking India’s first time hosting the tournament in a decade. The final will take place on March 8, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the defending champions. India will be aiming to retain the trophy on home soil, facing formidable competition from top-ranked T20 sides around the world.
Also Read: India's Packed 2026 Cricket Calendar Features T20 World Cup Title Defence
After the World Cup, India’s white-ball schedule remains busy. Afghanistan is set to tour for one Test and three ODIs, though the exact dates are yet to be confirmed. Later, India will travel to England for five T20Is and three ODIs between July 1 and July 19, providing crucial preparation for overseas conditions in the longer white-ball format.
India will then tour Sri Lanka for a two-Test series, with fixture dates pending, followed by a second series against Afghanistan. The team will also participate in the Asian Games starting September 9, typically sending a second-string squad as in the previous edition led by Ruturaj Gaikwad. These events will test India’s bench strength and provide opportunities for emerging talents.
The year will conclude with India touring New Zealand for two Tests and three ODIs in November, followed by a home series against Sri Lanka featuring three ODIs and three T20Is. The packed schedule underscores the team’s global commitments and provides fans with continuous cricket action, highlighting India’s ambitions across formats in 2026.
Also Read: India's Packed 2026 Cricket Calendar Features T20 World Cup Title Defence
