India’s packed 2026 cricket calendar: T20 World Cup, IPL, and Asian Games

India’s men’s cricket team faces a jam-packed 2026 schedule featuring the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the Indian Premier League (IPL), and cricket’s return to the Asian Games—all set against a backdrop of intense bilateral series across three formats. From co-hosting the T20 World Cup on home soil to a full white-ball tour of England and crucial World Test Championship fixtures, the year promises to test India’s depth and versatility like never before.

January: New Zealand series as T20 World Cup prep

India kicks off the year at home with an eight-match limited-overs series against New Zealand, serving as vital preparation for the T20 World Cup. The series includes three ODIs followed by five T20Is across venues in central and eastern India.

ODIs:

• January 11: 1st ODI, Vadodara

• January 14: 2nd ODI, Rajkot

• January 18: 3rd ODI, Indore

T20Is:

• January 21: 1st T20I, Nagpur

• January 23: 2nd T20I, Raipur

• January 25: 3rd T20I, Guwahati

• January 28: 4th T20I, Visakhapatnam

• January 31: 5th T20I, Thiruvananthapuram

February-March: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on home soil

The 10th edition of the T20 World Cup runs from February 7 to March 8, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. As defending champions, India will be under immense pressure to retain the trophy in familiar subcontinental conditions, especially after the disappointment of the 2023 ODI World Cup final loss.

Playing at home gives India a significant advantage, but expectations will be sky-high as the nation looks to its stars to deliver silverware on home turf.

March-May: IPL 2026 takes center stage

The Indian Premier League remains the centerpiece of India’s cricket summer. For two months, international duties take a back seat as the world’s best players converge for the richest franchise tournament in cricket. IPL 2026 will also mark the final appearances of several icons who are expected to retire from the tournament.

June: Afghanistan series

Following the IPL, India returns to international action with a short series against Afghanistan in June, consisting of a one-off Test match and three ODIs. These fixtures will provide crucial World Test Championship (WTC) points and give fringe players opportunities to stake their claims.

July: High-profile white-ball tour of England

India embarks on a high-profile white-ball tour of England in July, featuring five T20Is and three ODIs. This marks India’s first bilateral white-ball tour of England since the 2022 series.

T20Is:

• July 1: Chester-le-Street

• July 4: Manchester

• July 7: Nottingham

• July 9: Bristol

• July 11: Southampton

ODIs:

• July 14: Birmingham

• July 16: Cardiff

• July 19: Lord’s

August-September: Tests in Sri Lanka and white-ball cricket in Bangladesh

India travels to neighboring nations during the monsoon months, beginning with a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka in August. These fixtures are crucial for India’s World Test Championship ambitions.

In September, India fulfills a previously postponed tour of Bangladesh, featuring three ODIs and three T20Is.

September-October: Cricket returns to the Asian Games

Cricket makes its return to the Asian Games in Japan from September 19 to October 4. While the senior squad may be engaged with bilateral commitments, India is expected to field a competitive T20 side for the quadrennial event, adding another layer of prestige to an already packed year.

October: Afghanistan and West Indies at home

A busy late-monsoon window sees Afghanistan return for three T20Is, followed by a full series against the West Indies featuring three ODIs and five T20Is. These home fixtures will give India’s white-ball specialists vital game time ahead of year-end tours.

October-November: Tour of New Zealand

India finishes the year with an extensive overseas tour of New Zealand, featuring two Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is. Playing in New Zealand’s challenging conditions right before the Indian winter will be a stern test, particularly for the batting unit.

December: Sri Lanka series to close the year

The 2026 calendar concludes at home with a three-ODI and three-T20I series against Sri Lanka in December, rounding off what promises to be one of the busiest and most exciting years in Indian cricket history.