Delhi: The year 2025 was a good journey for the Indian men’s cricket team. Team India performed strongly in the white ball format, but could not get the expected success in Test cricket. Now the eyes are fixed on the year 2026, which is considered very important from the point of view of Indian cricket. This year, while the T20 World Cup is to be hosted by India, the team will also have to play tough Test series abroad against Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

Preparation for T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup

The biggest attraction for India in the year 2026 will be the T20 World Cup, which it will host itself. Apart from this, preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup will also start from July 2026. For this reason, in the second half of the year, the Indian team’s focus is going to be on maximum ODI and T20 matches.

limited matches in test cricket

In the year 2026, the Indian team has to play only four test matches. All these matches will take place on foreign soil. A two-Test series each is to be played against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. The number of white ball matches this year is going to be much more as compared to Test cricket.

Emphasis will be on white ball cricket

If we look at the schedule for the entire year, the Indian team will play about 15 ODIs and about 29 T20 matches in 2026. T20 World Cup matches are not included in this. It is clear that the priority of the selectors and team management is going to be limited overs cricket this year.

The year started with New Zealand series

The Indian team will start its 2026 campaign with a home series against New Zealand in January. During this period, three ODI and five T20 matches will be played. Immediately after this, T20 World Cup will be organized in February-March, in which Team India will enter with the intention of winning the title.

IPL and then foreign tour

After the T20 World Cup, IPL 2026 will be played from March to May. After this, in July the Indian team will go on England tour, where three ODIs and five T20 matches will be played. Two test matches are proposed on the Sri Lanka tour in August, the schedule of which is yet to be released.

Asian and Caribbean Challenge

Team India has to play three ODIs and three T20s on Bangladesh tour in September. Meanwhile, there will also be a series of three T20 matches against Afghanistan. After this, India will host West Indies and Sri Lanka, where ODI and T20 matches will be played.

End of the year with New Zealand and Sri Lanka series

In October-November, the Indian team will tour New Zealand, where two Tests along with ODI and T20 series will be played. Sri Lanka will tour India in December, in which three ODI and three T20 matches are proposed.