India cricket schedule in 2026 - T20 World Cup and Asian Games among headliners
by Thobelani Moyo | by Thobelani Moyo
India is out to defend their T20 World Cup title
India has been named co-hosts along with Sri Lanka for the T20 World Cup, which is set to take place next year. The event is expected to run for a full month, from February 07 to March 08.
For India, being hosts is just the tip of the iceberg. This is a team that enters the competition with a lot to lose. In other words, they are the defending champions of the T20 World Cup. Taking a trip down memory lane, they managed to outplay South Africa in the final to end a 13-year trophy drought for a world title.
With history beckoning, a lot is riding for India in this competition. As the reigning champions, should they be successful, this could see them etch their name in the history books. They could become the first team to win back-to-back titles and that on home soil, too. Follow India's progress by checking out our cricket predictions.
Their T20 World Cup campaign begins with a match against the United States on February 07. The venue hosting this fixture is none other than India's home ground, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. They are in Group A and, as co-hosts, will play all games in the group stages. The group comprises Namibia, the United States, Pakistan, and the Netherlands.
India is set to begin preparations for the T20 World Cup with a home series against New Zealand in January 2026. There will be three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and five T20 matches in the series.
The Asian Games 2026: India is no stranger to this competition
After the T20 World Cup, India will travel to Japan for the 2026 Asian Games, with all matches to be held in Aichi. It won't be the first time cricket is included in this competition, as this marks its fourth appearance after being introduced in 2010 in Guangzhou.
This is a great opportunity for them to compete for an Asian gold medal and win another medal for the country. The competition will run from September 19 to October 04 and will include both men's and women's cricket (T20 format).
India did manage to clinch the gold medal in men's cricket in the Asian Games in 2023. They are the defending champions in both men's and women's categories after an impressive display in the 2023 edition in Hangzhou.
2026 Schedule for the Indian Men's Cricket Team
January
- New Zealand Tour of India 2026
- Format: 3 ODI, 5 T20
- Venue: India
February - March
- T20 World Cup 2026
- Format: 55 T20
- Venue: India, Sri Lanka
June
- Afghanistan Tour of India 2026
- Format: 1 Test, 3 ODI
- Venue: India
July
- England Tour of India 2026
- Format: 3 ODI, 5 T20
- Venue: India
August
- India Tour of Sri Lanka 2026
- Format: 2 Test
- Venue: Sri Lanka
September
- India Tour of Afghanistan 2026
- Format: 3 T20
- Venue: Afghanistan
September - October
- Asian Games 2026
- Format: T20
- Venue: Japan
September - October
- West Indies Tour of India 2026
- Format: 3 ODI, 5 T20
- Venue: India
October - November
- India Tour of New Zealand 2026
- Format: 2 Test, 3 ODI, 5 T20
- Venue: New Zealand
December
- Sri Lanka Tour of India 2026
- Format: 3 ODI, 3 T20
- Venue: India
