Upcoming Challenges for Indian Cricket Team Post IPL 2026
IPL 2026 Concludes with RCB's Victory
The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) wrapped up on May 31, with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defending their title against the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium. As the excitement of franchise cricket fades, the focus shifts back to the Indian national team, which has a packed schedule ahead.
Fans can look forward to seeing the team led by Shubman Gill in action soon, as they are set to face Afghanistan in a Test match starting June 6. The upcoming year is crucial for India as they aim to improve their standing in the World Test Championship (WTC), with ten Test matches lined up, including nine series that are part of the WTC. A significant highlight will be the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at home in early 2027.
This year marks a unique situation, as there are no white-ball ICC events scheduled between two IPL seasons during the COVID period. Nevertheless, preparations for the 2027 World Cup will be a priority, with numerous ODIs planned. Key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be pivotal in these matches. Additionally, India will participate in the cricket event at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya.
Indian Cricket Team's Schedule Until IPL 2027
Indian Cricket Team - Full Schedule Till Start Of IPL 2027
| Series | Matches | Dates | Host Country |
| Afghanistan tour of India | 1 Test, 3 ODIS | June 6-20, 2026 | India |
| India tour of Ireland | 2 T20Is | June 26 and 28, 2026 | Ireland |
| India tour of England | 5 T20Is, 3 ODIs | July 1 to July 19, 2026 | England |
| India tour of Zimbabwe | 3 T20Is | July 23 to July 26, 2026 | Zimbabwe |
| India tour of Sri Lanka | 2 Tests (WTC), 2 T20Is* | August 2026 | Sri Lanka |
| India tour of Bangladesh** | 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is | 1 to 13 September, 2026 | Bangladesh |
| Asian Games 2026 | 1 To 3 T20Is | 19 September to 4th October, 2026 | Japan |
| West Indies tour of India | 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is | 27 September to 17 October, 2026 | India |
| India tour of New Zealand | 2 Tests (WTC), 5 ODIs, 5 T20Is | October/November/December, 2026 | New Zealand |
| Sri Lanka tour of India | 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is | 13 December to 27 December, 2026 | India |
| Zimbabwe tour of India | 3 ODIs | 3 January to 9 January, 2026 | India |
| Australia tour of India | 5 Tests | 21 January to 3 March, 2027 | India |
*The T20I series, aimed at cyclone relief efforts, is pending confirmation. **India's tour of Bangladesh is subject to government approval.
While India has confirmed its home season dates and venues, announcements from Sri Lanka and New Zealand regarding their tours are still awaited. These series are crucial as they include Test matches that contribute to the WTC cycle. Furthermore, India will engage in a five-match ODI series against New Zealand for the first time in over seven years, marking their first visit to New Zealand since the pandemic.
In total, India is scheduled to play 10 Test matches, 20-23 ODIs, and 25-30 T20Is in the upcoming period. Notably, the 2027 IPL will coincide with the conclusion of the current Future Tours Programme (FTP) spanning from 2023 to 2027.