India cricket schedule 2026-27: the full picture
India's home season for 2026-27 is one of the busiest in years — 22 matches across 17 cities, hosting four touring sides before closing with the biggest series of the cycle. The season opens with white-ball cricket against the West Indies, moves into a Test-and-white-ball tour of New Zealand, brings Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe home for short white-ball series, and finishes with the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia — the concluding series of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle for both teams.
| Series | Format | Window | Key cities |
|---|---|---|---|
| India vs West Indies | ODI & T20I | Sept–Oct 2026 | Trivandrum, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Ranchi, Indore, Hyderabad, Bengaluru |
| India tour of New Zealand | T20I, ODI & Test | Oct–Dec 2026 | Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, Hamilton, Mount Maunganui |
| India vs Sri Lanka | ODI & T20I | Dec 2026 | Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Cuttack, Pune |
| India vs Zimbabwe | ODI | Jan 2027 | Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai |
| Border-Gavaskar Trophy vs Australia | Test | 21 Jan – 3 Mar 2027 | Nagpur, Chennai, Guwahati, Ranchi, Ahmedabad |
| ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 | ODI | 4 Oct – 21 Nov 2027 | South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia |
Fixture dates and venues are correct as of publication based on official BCCI and ICC announcements, but cricket schedules can shift — always confirm exact match dates and start times before booking travel or tickets.
India vs West Indies 2026: fixtures & travel
India host the West Indies for eight white-ball matches opening the home season — three ODIs followed by five T20Is across eight different cities.
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | 27 September | Trivandrum |
| 2nd ODI | 30 September | Guwahati |
| 3rd ODI | 3 October | New Chandigarh |
| 1st T20I | 6 October | Lucknow |
| 2nd T20I | 9 October | Ranchi |
| 3rd T20I | 11 October | Indore |
| 4th T20I | 14 October | Hyderabad |
| 5th T20I | 17 October | Bengaluru |
Trivandrum, Lucknow, Ranchi, Indore and New Chandigarh don't currently have dedicated flight route guides on our site, so the fastest way to plan travel to these matches is via our flights to India page, followed by a domestic connection. For the Hyderabad and Bengaluru legs, see our dedicated flights to Hyderabad and flights to Bengaluru guides.
India vs New Zealand 2026: fixtures & travel
India's tour of New Zealand is a heavyweight assignment — five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests across five venues, giving this series real depth for travelling fans following the full tour.
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | 22 October | Christchurch |
| 2nd T20I | 24 October | Christchurch |
| 3rd T20I | 27 October | Wellington |
| 4th T20I | 30 October | Auckland |
| 5th T20I | 1 November | Hamilton |
| 1st ODI | 4 November | Auckland |
| 2nd ODI | 7 November | Wellington |
| 3rd ODI | 10 November | Hamilton |
| 4th ODI | 13 November | Mount Maunganui |
| 5th ODI | 15 November | Mount Maunganui |
| 1st Test | 19–23 November | Wellington |
| 2nd Test | 27 Nov – 1 Dec | Christchurch |
That's 12 India matches in New Zealand across just over five weeks. If your trip stretches beyond India itself, our flights to Australia page can help if you're combining this tour with an Australia leg on the same trip.
India vs Sri Lanka 2026: fixtures & travel
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | 13 December | Delhi |
| 2nd ODI | 16 December | Bengaluru |
| 3rd ODI | 19 December | Ahmedabad |
| 1st T20I | 22 December | Rajkot |
| 2nd T20I | 24 December | Cuttack |
| 3rd T20I | 27 December | Pune |
Three of these six matches land in cities we already have dedicated route guides for — compare flights to Delhi, flights to Bengaluru and flights to Ahmedabad directly. For Rajkot, Cuttack and Pune, start from our general flights to India page.
India vs Zimbabwe 2027: fixtures & travel
A shorter series, but a useful early-January warm-up before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy — three ODIs across three major cities.
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | 3 January | Kolkata |
| 2nd ODI | 6 January | Hyderabad |
| 3rd ODI | 9 January | Mumbai |
All three venues have dedicated route pages: flights to Kolkata, flights to Hyderabad and flights to Mumbai.
India vs Australia 2027: the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
This is the centrepiece of the entire home season. India host Australia in a five-match Test series from 21 January to 3 March 2027, closing out the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle — with both sides realistic contenders for a place in the WTC final at Lord's. Notably, none of Kolkata, Mumbai or Bengaluru feature this time: the BCCI has spread the series across Nagpur, Chennai, Guwahati (making its Test debut), Ranchi and Ahmedabad instead.
1st Test — Nagpur
21–25 January 2027 · Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium
2nd Test — Chennai
29 Jan – 2 Feb 2027 · M.A. Chidambaram Stadium
3rd Test — Guwahati
11–15 February 2027 · Barsapara Stadium (Test debut)
4th Test — Ranchi
19–23 February 2027 · JSCA International Stadium
5th Test — Ahmedabad
27 Feb – 3 March 2027 · Narendra Modi Stadium (decider)
The Ahmedabad Test is the one to build a trip around if the series is still live — the Narendra Modi Stadium is the world's largest cricket ground, and a decisive fifth Test here would be one of the greatest live cricket experiences on offer anywhere. Chennai and Ahmedabad both have direct UK flight guides already linked above; for Nagpur, Guwahati and Ranchi, the quickest route is via our general flights to India page followed by a short domestic connection.
Watching India live from the stadium? Match ticket assistance, flights, hotels near the ground and full match-day transport — we can put your complete Border-Gavaskar Trophy trip together in one enquiry.
India at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027
Beyond the home season, India fans have an even bigger trip to plan for: the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from 4 October to 21 November 2027 — the tournament's first return to African soil since 2003. It's an expanded, 14-team field playing 57 matches across 12 venues: eight in South Africa, three in Zimbabwe, and one in Namibia (Windhoek).
| Host country | Venues | Notable stadiums |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 8 | Wanderers (Johannesburg), Centurion, Newlands (Cape Town), Kingsmead (Durban), St George's Park (Gqeberha) |
| Zimbabwe | 3 | Harare Sports Club, Queens Sports Club (Bulawayo), Victoria Falls |
| Namibia | 1 | Windhoek |
India's individual fixtures for the 2027 World Cup will be added here once the ICC officially releases the tournament schedule. As a top-ranked ODI side and Full Member nation, India are expected to be part of the 14-team field, but the group stage draw and match-by-match schedule are not yet public.
Following India to the World Cup is a genuinely different scale of trip to a home Test — you're looking at flights, visas and accommodation across three countries. Start planning with our dedicated destination pages: flights to South Africa, flights to Zimbabwe and flights to Namibia. For the full event hub with further travel planning, see our Cricket World Cup 2027 guide.
India cricket tickets: how it actually works
Match tickets for India's bilateral series and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy are released by the BCCI and the relevant state cricket association — typically a few weeks to a couple of months before each match, through official ticketing partners announced closer to the date. For the 2027 World Cup, the ICC has opened interest registration ahead of the official on-sale, with ticket details to follow as the tournament approaches.
We're not an official ticket seller, and we won't claim otherwise. What we can do is help you track ticket windows for your target match and build your travel — flights, hotel and match-day transport — around confirmed dates once tickets go live.
Where to watch India cricket live
Broadcast and streaming rights for India's cricket are negotiated separately for bilateral series and for ICC events, and they can change between tournaments — so treat the table below as a starting point, and always confirm the announced rights holder for the specific series you're planning to watch.
| Region | Typical coverage | Status |
|---|---|---|
| India | Official domestic rights holder / streaming platform | Check per series |
| UK | Sky Sports has carried major recent ICC events | Check per series |
| USA & Canada | Willow has been a recurring rights holder for India cricket | Check per series |
| Australia | Applicable local rights holder | Check per series |
Looking for the latest India cricket score rather than a broadcast? Check the current match score, wickets, overs and status at the top of this page during a live series, or head to an official match centre such as ESPNcricinfo for real-time ball-by-ball updates.
Watch India cricket from the UK: flights & travel
Planning to watch India live rather than just following the score? We can help arrange flights, hotels, and complete cricket travel from London, Manchester and Birmingham — the UK's three main gateways into India.
- London: the widest choice of routes and airlines into Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai — the most practical base for most BGT and World Cup travel.
- Manchester: solid direct connections into major Indian cities, convenient for fans across the North of England.
- Birmingham: a practical Midlands departure point with growing route choice into India.
Start comparing routes on our flights to India page, or see our broader UK to India flights 2026 guide for a wider look at routes and booking timing beyond cricket season. Extending your India trip with a spiritual journey too? Take a look at our Umrah packages for onward travel options.
India's biggest player storylines for 2026-27
The schedule is only half the story — the biggest search queries around Indian cricket right now are about the players, not just the fixtures. Here's where the major storylines actually stand.
Will Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play the 2027 World Cup?
Both players have already retired from T20 Internationals (2024, after India's T20 World Cup win) and from Test cricket (2025), and both continue to play ODI cricket. Neither has announced an ODI retirement. Rohit publicly dismissed retirement speculation in July 2026 after a strong innings against England, saying his focus remains on playing for India with the 2027 World Cup still in sight. But the honest answer is: nobody knows for certain. Selectors and former players including Sourav Ganguly and AB de Villiers have said neither player's place is guaranteed, pointing to the fitness demands of nearly two more years of cricket and the team's focus on building around younger batters like Yashasvi Jaiswal. Others, including MS Dhoni, have backed both to make it. This one will likely stay unresolved until much closer to October 2027.
Who is India's captain now, and for the 2027 World Cup?
Shubman Gill captains India in both Tests and ODIs, having taken over the ODI captaincy from Rohit Sharma. That makes Gill the clear frontrunner to lead India into the 2027 World Cup, though an official squad and captaincy confirmation for the tournament itself is still well over a year away.
Sachin Tendulkar's century record
Sachin Tendulkar retired with 100 international centuries — 51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs — a tally that remains the sport's benchmark for sustained batting excellence. Virat Kohli is the closest active player to that mark and has narrowed the gap over his career, but matching the full 100 would require several more years of top-level cricket. It's a record that's discussed constantly, but not one that's realistically under threat in the near term.
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli
A perennial debate given the similarity in their elegant, high-average ODI batting styles. Kohli has the longer international career, more overall experience across formats, and a larger career century tally. Babar Azam has been among the fastest players in the game's history to reach various individual ODI run milestones. Since both players' numbers change with every innings they play, we'd point you to a live source like ESPNcricinfo for the current head-to-head stats rather than quoting a number here that will be out of date by the time you read it.
Player availability, form and retirement decisions can change quickly — treat this section as a snapshot as of 21 August 2026, and check the latest squad announcements before finalising travel plans around a specific player.
Frequently asked questions
What is India's cricket schedule for 2026-27?
India's 2026-27 home season features white-ball series against the West Indies, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, a Test-and-white-ball tour of New Zealand, and closes with the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia from January to March 2027, spread across 17 Indian cities.
When is India's next cricket match?
As of late August 2026, India's next major assignment is the home ODI and T20I series against the West Indies, beginning in late September 2026. Check the live match centre for the latest confirmed fixture close to the date.
Who is India's cricket captain for 2026-27?
Shubman Gill captains India across both Test and ODI cricket for the 2026-27 season, having taken over the ODI captaincy from Rohit Sharma.
Who will be India's captain for the 2027 Cricket World Cup?
Shubman Gill, as India's current ODI captain, is the most likely candidate to lead India at the 2027 World Cup, though an official World Cup squad and captaincy confirmation won't come until closer to the tournament in late 2027.
When is India vs Australia in 2027?
India host Australia in the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy from 21 January to 3 March 2027, played across Nagpur, Chennai, Guwahati, Ranchi and Ahmedabad.
Where is the first India vs Australia Test 2027 being played?
The first Test of the 2027 Border-Gavaskar Trophy is at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, from 21 to 25 January 2027.
What is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is the Test series played between India and Australia, named after former captains Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar. The 2027 edition is a five-match series and forms the concluding leg of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle for both sides.
When is the India vs Australia Ahmedabad Test?
The fifth and final Test of the 2027 Border-Gavaskar Trophy is played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, from 27 February to 3 March 2027.
How can I get India vs Australia tickets?
Match tickets for Border-Gavaskar Trophy fixtures are typically released by the BCCI and individual state cricket associations closer to each match. Sky Voyage does not sell tickets directly but can help with match ticket enquiries alongside your flights and hotel booking.
When is India vs New Zealand 2026?
India's tour of New Zealand in 2026 runs across T20Is, ODIs and Tests from late October through early December, covering venues including Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, Hamilton and Mount Maunganui.
When is India vs West Indies 2026?
India host the West Indies in a white-ball series in September and October 2026, with ODIs in Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati and New Chandigarh, followed by T20Is in Lucknow, Ranchi, Indore, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
When is India vs Sri Lanka 2026?
India host Sri Lanka in December 2026, with ODIs in Delhi, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, followed by T20Is in Rajkot, Cuttack and Pune.
When is India vs Zimbabwe 2027?
India host Zimbabwe for a three-match ODI series in early January 2027, played in Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai, just before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia begins.
How can I watch India cricket live in the UK?
Broadcast rights for India's bilateral series and ICC events vary by tournament and are typically confirmed closer to each series. UK viewers have historically been served by Sky Sports for major ICC events — always check the confirmed broadcaster for a specific series before assuming coverage.
Where can I check India's live cricket score?
For real-time ball-by-ball India live scores, scorecards and match status, use an official, authoritative match centre such as ESPNcricinfo or the ICC's own site, both of which are linked from this page during live series.
Is Virat Kohli retiring from cricket?
Virat Kohli has already retired from T20 Internationals (2024) and Test cricket (2025). He continues to play ODIs, and as of mid-2026 has not announced an ODI retirement, though pundits including Sourav Ganguly and AB de Villiers have said his place at the 2027 World Cup is not guaranteed and will depend on form and fitness.
Is Rohit Sharma retiring from cricket?
Rohit Sharma has retired from T20 Internationals (2024) and Test cricket (2025) and continues to play ODIs. Retirement speculation resurfaced around his series against England in mid-2026, but in July 2026 Rohit publicly dismissed the talk and said his focus remains on playing for India, with the 2027 World Cup still in his sights. No formal ODI retirement has been announced.
Will Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play the 2027 World Cup?
It's genuinely uncertain. Both have retained their ODI places through 2026 and have stated intentions to play, and figures like MS Dhoni have backed their chances. However, senior voices including Sourav Ganguly and AB de Villiers have cautioned that neither player's spot is guaranteed, given the fitness demands and the selectors' focus on building a squad around younger players like Yashasvi Jaiswal ahead of the tournament.
Why did Kohli and Rohit retire from Tests and T20Is?
Both players retired from T20 Internationals shortly after India's 2024 T20 World Cup win, choosing to exit on a high, and both later retired from Test cricket in 2025 as part of a broader transition to a younger Test side, while continuing to focus on ODI cricket.
Who replaced Rohit Sharma as India's ODI captain?
Shubman Gill was appointed India's ODI captain, taking over from Rohit Sharma, while Rohit has continued to be selected as a player in the ODI squad.
How many international centuries does Sachin Tendulkar have?
Sachin Tendulkar retired with 100 international centuries — 51 in Test cricket and 49 in One Day Internationals — a combined record that remains the benchmark for batting longevity in the sport.
Is Sachin Tendulkar's century record likely to be broken?
Virat Kohli is the closest active challenger to Tendulkar's 100-century mark and has been closing the gap steadily over his career, though reaching the full tally would require several more years of sustained international cricket. No currently active player is close to matching it in the near term.
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli: who has the better record?
Both are considered among the finest ODI batters of their generation, and comparisons are common given their similar run-scoring styles. Kohli has significantly more international experience across a longer career and a larger overall century tally, while Babar Azam has posted some of the fastest routes to individual run-scoring milestones in ODI cricket. Since both players' stats update with every match, check a live source like ESPNcricinfo for current figures rather than relying on a fixed number.
When is the 2027 Cricket World Cup?
The 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup runs from 4 October to 21 November 2027.
Where is the 2027 Cricket World Cup being held?
The 2027 World Cup is co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, marking the tournament's first return to African soil since 2003. South Africa stages the majority of matches across eight venues, with three in Zimbabwe and one in Namibia (Windhoek).
Will India play in the 2027 Cricket World Cup?
India, as a Full Member nation and one of the top-ranked ODI sides, are expected to qualify directly for the 2027 World Cup's 14-team field. India's individual match fixtures will be added to this page once the ICC officially releases the tournament schedule.
How many teams are in the 2027 Cricket World Cup?
The 2027 World Cup features an expanded 14-team format, up from 10 in the 2023 edition, with 57 matches played under a revamped three-stage competition structure.
How do I book flights to India for cricket matches?
Compare live routes to the relevant match city on our flights to India page, or go directly to a dedicated city route guide for destinations including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
What is the best way to travel from the UK to watch India play?
Most UK fans fly into the nearest major Indian gateway to their target match city — Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad or Kolkata all have direct UK connections — then take a short domestic flight if the match city itself, such as Nagpur, Guwahati or Ranchi, doesn't have direct international service.
Which UK airports fly to India for cricket trips?
London, Manchester and Birmingham all offer regular direct flights to major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai, making them the most practical UK departure points for an India cricket trip.
How much does a cricket trip to India cost?
Total cost depends heavily on flights, hotel category, match tickets and trip length, and varies significantly by destination city and time of year. Share your dates and preferred matches with our team for a tailored cost estimate covering flights, hotels and transport.
Where should I stay for an India cricket match?
Staying within a reasonable distance of the stadium reduces match-day travel stress, particularly in cities with heavy traffic. For multi-day Tests, a hotel with easy repeat access to the ground is generally worth prioritising over a marginally cheaper option further away.
Which airport is closest to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad?
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) in Ahmedabad is the closest airport to the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world's largest cricket ground and host of the fifth and final Test of the 2027 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Can I book flights and hotels together for India cricket matches?
Yes. Our team can help build a complete cricket trip covering flights, hotels near the stadium and match-day transport as a single itinerary — get in touch through our flights to India page with your preferred match and dates.
How do I get India cricket match tickets?
Match tickets are typically released by the BCCI or the relevant state cricket association ahead of each series. We're not an official ticket seller, but our team can assist with checking availability and coordinating your travel around confirmed ticket windows.
Where can I watch India cricket in the USA and Canada?
Broadcast arrangements for the USA and Canada vary by tournament and are confirmed closer to each series or event — always check the officially announced rights holder for the specific series you want to watch rather than assuming coverage carries over from a previous tournament.