The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced an action-packed 2026–27 home season, featuring nine One-Day Internationals (ODIs), ensuring fans will get extended opportunities to watch star cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in action on home soil.
With both players having stepped away from Tests and T20 Internationals, they are now focusing solely on the ODI format as part of preparations for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup in Africa.
Packed international calendar at home
India’s home season will feature a total of:
- 9 ODIs
- 8 T20 Internationals
- 5 Test matches
The visiting teams include West Indies cricket team, Sri Lanka cricket team, Zimbabwe cricket team, and Australia cricket team.
The season is set to begin in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), where India will face West Indies in the first ODI of a three-match series.
ODI focus ahead of World Cup
The nine ODIs scheduled at home, combined with upcoming overseas fixtures, mean Kohli and Rohit could feature in up to 18 ODIs over the next 12 months. This provides crucial match practice ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
India will host:
- 3 ODIs vs West Indies
- 3 ODIs vs Sri Lanka
- 3 ODIs vs Zimbabwe
These matches will be played across major venues including Guwahati, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy to headline season
The highlight of the home season will be the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy, featuring a five-match Test series against Australia.
The series is scheduled as follows:
- 1st Test – Nagpur (January 21–25, 2027)
- 2nd Test – Chennai (January 29–February 2)
- 3rd Test – Guwahati (February 11–15)
- 4th Test – Ranchi (February 19–23)
- 5th Test – Ahmedabad (February 27–March 3)
This marquee contest is expected to draw significant attention as two of the world’s top cricketing nations face off.
Busy international commitments
In addition to the home season, India will have a demanding international schedule. After the IPL, the team will host Afghanistan for a one-off Test and a three-match ODI series.
The team will then tour:
- England for ODIs and T20Is
- Sri Lanka for Tests
- New Zealand for Tests, ODIs, and T20Is
This packed calendar ensures consistent match exposure across formats.
Strategic importance of home season
The 2026–27 home season is strategically significant for Indian cricket, particularly in the ODI format. With senior players like Kohli and Rohit focusing exclusively on 50-over cricket, the schedule offers a vital opportunity to build form, combinations, and momentum ahead of the global tournament.
It also allows the team management to test bench strength while maintaining a strong core lineup.
Conclusion
The BCCI’s announcement promises an exciting year for cricket fans in India, with a blend of high-profile series and crucial preparatory matches. As India gears up for the 2027 World Cup, the extended ODI calendar ensures that stalwarts like Kohli and Rohit remain central to the team’s plans, while also keeping fans engaged with top-quality cricket across the country.