India’s men’s cricket team will play 22 international matches across 17 different venues at home between mid-2026 and early 2027. The home calendar covers four bilateral series against Afghanistan, West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Australia, spanning all three formats.
The crown jewel is the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in January-February 2027, which will likely decide India’s World Test Championship 2025-27 final fate.
Which Teams Tour India in 2026-27?
The home schedule starts right after the IPL 2026 wraps up in May and runs through to February 2027. Here’s the series-by-series breakdown.
Afghanistan Tour of India (June 2026)
Afghanistan kicks things off with a one-off Test match in New Chandigarh from June 6 to 10. After that, the two teams play three ODIs across Dharamsala (June 14), Lucknow (June 17), and Chennai (June 20).
This series gives India’s ODI squad early match practice heading into a year focused on 2027 ODI World Cup preparation. Additionally, the Test offers Shubman Gill’s side a chance to start their home season on a confident note.
West Indies Tour of India (September-October 2026)
The West Indies visit for a white-ball heavy tour featuring three ODIs and five T20Is. Exact dates and venues haven’t been finalised yet, but multiple Indian cities are expected to host fixtures.
Interestingly, this series could overlap with the Asian Games 2026 cricket event in Nagoya, Japan (September 19 to October 4). If that happens, the BCCI might field two separate squads simultaneously. The T20I team could head to Japan while the ODI side takes on West Indies at home.
Sri Lanka Tour of India (December 2026)
Sri Lanka arrive for three ODIs and three T20Is in December, closing out India’s 2026 home international calendar. This series serves a dual purpose. First, it feeds into India’s ODI World Cup 2027 preparations. Second, it offers rest and rotation opportunities after the team returns from a gruelling New Zealand tour in October-November.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy vs Australia (January-February 2027)
This is the big one.
Australia tour India for a five-Test series that will shape the WTC 2025-27 standings heading into the final. India lost their home Test series 0-2 against South Africa in 2025, so reclaiming home dominance becomes critical here.
The five Tests will spread across multiple Indian venues. While the BCCI hasn’t confirmed specific cities yet, expect India’s traditional Test grounds like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Ahmedabad to feature prominently.
Why Does the 17-Venue Spread Matter?
The BCCI has consistently pushed to take international cricket to smaller cities and newer venues over the past few years. Hosting 22 matches across 17 different grounds means fans in cities like Dharamsala, Lucknow, New Chandigarh, Raipur, and Guwahati get live international action alongside the traditional metro stadiums.
On top of that, this spread helps the board manage pitch conditions, avoid overusing specific grounds, and maximise ticket revenue across regions.
What’s at Stake for India in This Home Calendar?
Three priorities drive this packed schedule.
First, WTC final qualification. India need strong home results, especially in the five-Test series against Australia, to secure their spot in the 2027 WTC final at Lord’s. After disappointing finishes in the 2021 and 2023 finals, there’s serious pressure to get it right this cycle.
Second, ODI World Cup preparation. With the 2027 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia approaching, every ODI at home helps India lock down their preferred combinations.
Third, squad rotation. Playing 22 home matches across formats means selectors get plenty of opportunities to test fringe players and manage the workload of senior stars. That’s especially important after a year where India will have already played the T20 World Cup, IPL, and multiple overseas tours.
In short, the next 12 months at home will shape India’s trajectory for the biggest ICC events on the horizon.
