The curtains have finally come down on another dramatic IPL season, and Indian cricket now shifts its attention back to international assignments. After weeks of franchise action, the Men in Blue will quickly return to national duty for a packed multi-format schedule that stretches deep into early 2027.
India’s calendar looks demanding, exciting, and extremely important from a long-term perspective. The team management now faces the challenge of balancing workload, testing bench strength, collecting World Test Championship (WTC) points, and preparing a stable white-ball core ahead of the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup.
The journey officially begins with Afghanistan’s tour of India in June. The visitors will play a one-off Test before featuring in a three-match ODI series starting on June 16. The ODI leg will take place in Dharamshala, Lucknow, and Chennai.
According to reports, senior batter Virat Kohli will miss the ODI series due to a hamstring injury. His absence comes as a setback for fans, especially after he was initially named in the squad. However, Rohit Sharma will feature in the series and continue leading India’s ODI setup.
The Afghanistan ODIs will carry more significance than a routine bilateral contest. These matches will effectively serve as India’s formal starting point in preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. With several youngsters pushing for opportunities, the selectors and coaching staff will closely monitor combinations, middle-order balance, bowling depth, and finishing roles.
India‘s complete schedule after IPL 2026
| Series/Tournament | Dates | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan Tour of India | June 6 – June 20, 2026 | 1 Test, 3 ODIs |
| India Tour of Ireland | June 26 – June 29, 2026 | 2 T20Is |
| India Tour of England | July 1 – July 19, 2026 | 5 T20Is, 3 ODIs |
| India Tour of Zimbabwe | July 23 – July 26, 2026 | 3 T20Is |
| India Tour of Sri Lanka | August 2026 | 2 Tests, 3 T20Is (tentative) |
| Asian Games 2026 | September 17 – October 3, 2026 | T20 format |
| West Indies Tour of India | September 27 – October 17, 2026 | 5 T20Is, 3 ODIs |
| India Tour of New Zealand | October 22 – December 1, 2026 | 5 T20Is, 5 ODIs, 2 Tests |
| Sri Lanka Tour of India | December 13 – December 27, 2026 | 3 T20Is, 3 ODIs |
| Zimbabwe Tour of India | January 3 – January 9, 2027 | 3 T20Is |
| Australia Tour of India | January 21 – March 3, 2027 | 5 Tests |
Immediately after the Afghanistan assignment, India will split resources for a quick T20I series against Ireland in Dublin from June 26 to June 29. The short two-match series will likely feature emerging players and fringe performers who impressed during IPL 2026.
India’s next major challenge arrives in England. The July tour includes five T20Is and three ODIs against one of the strongest white-ball teams in world cricket. England’s aggressive approach and home conditions will provide India with a proper test ahead of future ICC tournaments. The management could also experiment with tactical flexibility, especially in the T20 format.
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There will barely be any breathing room after the England tour. India will travel directly to Zimbabwe for a short three-match T20I series in Harare later in July. While the series may appear small on paper, it offers another opportunity to test India’s bench strength and expose younger players to international cricket.
The spotlight then shifts back to red-ball cricket in August when India tour Sri Lanka for a crucial two-Test series. These matches will play a major role in the WTC 2025–27 cycle.
September brings another major event with the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya. Cricket’s inclusion once again opens the door for India to defend its gold medal. The tournament could also help India build a new T20 leadership group, especially with several senior players gradually managing workloads across formats.
Soon after the Asian Games, the West Indies will arrive in India for a white-ball series featuring five T20Is and three ODIs. The home conditions should allow India to continue building combinations for the next ODI World Cup while also sharpening their T20 approach.
One of the biggest assignments of the calendar arrives later in the year when India tour New Zealand from October to December. The extensive tour includes five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Test matches. New Zealand’s conditions have traditionally challenged visiting teams, making this one of India’s most important overseas tours before the next major ICC cycle.
India will close the 2026 calendar at home against Sri Lanka with three T20Is and three ODIs in December. The festive series could become another platform for young players to stake their claim before the World Cup buildup intensifies.
The new year will begin with a historic moment as Zimbabwe tour India in January 2027 for a three-match T20I series. It will mark Zimbabwe’s first bilateral tour of India in 25 years.
However, the biggest challenge of all awaits shortly after that. Australia’s tour of India from January to March 2027 will headline the home season with a massive five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. The rivalry has consistently produced high-quality cricket over the past decade, and this edition could decide the final WTC standings.
