With the high-octane drama of IPL 2026 officially in the rearview mirror, cricket fans are ready to pivot back to international colours. Following a demanding domestic franchise window, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has outlined a massive, multi-format calendar for the Men in Blue. Fresh off a memorable T20 World Cup 2026 run earlier this year, the focus for the national team shifts toward building critical World Test Championship (WTC) points and laying the long-term foundations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
From quick away assignments in Europe to heavy-duty home Test battles, India’s upcoming itinerary promises non-stop action for cricket purists and white-ball enthusiasts alike.
India’s next assignments after IPL 2026: Full breakdown of Test, ODI and T20I matches
India’s post-franchise window transitions immediately into an intense bilateral calendar. The action kicks off on home soil before the squad sets out on multiple challenging overseas tours.
Here is the complete chronological schedule for Team India leading into early 2027:
- Afghanistan Tour of India (June 6 – June 20, 2026): India opens its international summer at home with a solitary Test match starting June 6 at the Maharaja Singh PCA Stadium, followed by 3 ODIs held across Dharamshala, Lucknow, and Chennai.
- India Tour of Ireland (June 26 – June 29, 2026): A rapid turnaround sees a secondary squad travel to Dublin for a brief 2-match T20I series, serving as an ideal transition for younger players into European conditions.
- India Tour of England (July 1 – July 19, 2026): One of the marquee white-ball tours of the year. India will play 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs against England in a high-intensity series crucial for tactical experimentation.
- India Tour of Zimbabwe (July 23 – July 26, 2026): Immediately following the UK tour, India travels to Harare for a swift 3-match T20I window, offering crucial exposure to bench strength.
- India Tour of Sri Lanka (August 2026): A vital subcontinental away assignment featuring 2 Tests heavily tied to the WTC standings, alongside a tentative 3-match T20I leg.
- Asian Games 2026 (September 17 – October 3, 2026): With cricket firmly integrated into the continental games in Nagoya, India aim to defend its gold medal, likely utilizing a formidable T20 roster that could showcase a fresh captaincy hierarchy.
- West Indies Tour of India (September 27 – October 17, 2026): A prominent home bilateral series featuring 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs, revitalizing the home white-ball season.
- Sri Lanka Tour of India (December 13 – December 27, 2026): India concludes the calendar year by hosting their southern neighbours for a festive white-ball split of 3 T20Is and 3 ODIs.
- Zimbabwe Tour of India (January 3 – January 9, 2027): A historic 3-match T20I series marking Zimbabwe’s first bilateral tour on Indian soil in 25 years.
- Australia Tour of India (January 21 – March 3, 2027): The ultimate crown jewel of the home season—the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This grueling 5-match Test series against Australia will dictate the final standings for the WTC 2025–27 cycle.
The return of two titans: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play against Afghanistan in ODIs
While the sheer volume of cricket is enough to keep fans hooked, the absolute headline of the immediate post-IPL window is the re-entry of modern legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma into the 50-over arena. Following a strategic restructuring of the home schedule by the BCCI, the veteran pair is set to feature prominently in the upcoming 3-match ODI series against Afghanistan starting June 13.
Having stepped away from the shortest format of international cricket to preserve longevity, the presence of Rohit and Kohli in the One-Day format remains indispensable. The upcoming matches in Dharamshala, Lucknow, and Chennai will act as their formal launching pad toward the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. Facing a highly competitive Afghan spin attack on spin-friendly home tracks will provide the perfect competitive edge as India seeks to fine-tune its middle-order stability and leadership dynamics for the long-form white-ball format.
