India face packed 12-month cricket calendar with more games in the works

India are set for a congested cricket schedule over the next year, with potential additional series in Ireland, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe alongside already scheduled tours to England, the UAE, Bangladesh, Japan, and a full home slate.

Following their World Cup victory, the Suryakumar Yadav-led side may play three T20Is in Sri Lanka in July-August, in addition to two Tests already on the Future Tours Programme (FTP). The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering a request from Sri Lanka Cricket to schedule these T20Is as a fundraiser for flood relief.

Before the Sri Lanka tour, India will travel to England for three ODIs and five T20Is between July 1 and 19. A short stopover in Ireland for a potential three-match T20I series in late June is also being explored.

Post the Sri Lanka series, scheduling becomes challenging. A three-match T20I series against Afghanistan is scheduled in the UAE in September. An announced tour of Bangladesh for six white-ball games (three ODIs and three T20Is) is subject to clearance from the Indian government due to recent diplomatic tensions.

There is also talk of a possible short T20I tour to Zimbabwe in September. This period coincides with the West Indies' scheduled tour of India for three ODIs and five T20Is, a series expected to extend into October.

Simultaneously, India are the defending gold medallists for cricket at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan (September 19 – October 4). The men's T20 competition runs from September 25 to October 3, raising the possibility of fielding separate squads in Japan and against the West Indies.

India are then expected to tour New Zealand from October 18 for a full tour featuring five ODIs, five T20Is, and two Tests. The two Tests will follow the white-ball matches.

The team is expected to return home in early December to host Sri Lanka for three ODIs and three T20Is. This will be followed by the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India in January-February 2027, ahead of the 2027 Indian Premier League season from March to May.