BCCI Announces 22-Match Home Season: India to Host Australia, West Indies, Sri Lanka & Zimbabwe

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially unveiled the schedule for Team India's senior men's international home season for 2026-27, announcing a massive 22-match calendar that will see four visiting teams tour the country across 17 cities .

The action-packed season kicks off on September 27, 2026, with the West Indies tour and culminates in a high-voltage five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, beginning January 21, 2027 .

With a mix of ODIs, T20Is, and Tests, the upcoming home season promises to be one of the busiest in recent memory, offering cricket fans across the nation a feast of international action.

Breaking Down the 22-Match Schedule

The comprehensive schedule includes 8 T20Is, 9 ODIs, and 5 Tests. Here is how the action unfolds across the season:

1. West Indies Tour (September-October 2026)

The season opens with a white-ball series against the West Indies. The action begins with three ODIs in Trivandrum, Guwahati, and New Chandigarh, followed by five T20Is across Lucknow, Ranchi, Indore, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru .

2. Sri Lanka Tour (December 2026)

As winter sets in, Sri Lanka will arrive for a white-ball series. The three ODIs are scheduled for Delhi, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad, while the T20Is will be played in Rajkot, Cuttack, and Pune .

3. Zimbabwe Tour (January 2027)

The new year begins with Zimbabwe visiting for a three-match ODI series. The matches will be held at iconic venues: Kolkata's Eden Gardens, Hyderabad, and Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium .

4. Australia Tour (January-March 2027) – The Headline Act

The season's crown jewel is the five-match Test series against Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This series is a crucial part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle .

The Test venues are:

• 1st Test: January 21-25, Nagpur (VCA Stadium) 

• 2nd Test: January 29-February 2, Chennai (MA Chidambaram Stadium) 

• 3rd Test: February 11-15, Guwahati (Barsapara Stadium) 

• 4th Test: February 19-23, Ranchi (JSCA Stadium) 

• 5th Test: February 27-March 3, Ahmedabad (Narendra Modi Stadium) 

Key Highlights: Bengaluru Returns, Guwahati Hosts Historic Test

Bengaluru's International Return

A significant highlight is the return of M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to the international circuit. The venue will host the 5th T20I against West Indies (October 17) and the 2nd ODI against Sri Lanka (December 16) . This marks its first international matches since October 2024, following a suspension due to a tragic stampede during RCB's IPL victory celebrations in June 2024 .

Guwahati's Test Debut Against Australia

The Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati is set to host its first-ever Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match (February 11-15, 2027). The venue only hosted its maiden red-ball game in November 2025 when South Africa toured India, making the upcoming Australia Test just its second Test match overall .

Multiple Matches Across 17 Cities

The BCCI has ensured a wide geographical spread, with matches scheduled in 17 cities . Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Ahmedabad, and Ranchi are the only centers set to host two international matches each during the course of the season .

What This Means for Indian Cricket

This packed home season serves multiple purposes for the Indian team. The white-ball games against the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe provide valuable match practice and an opportunity to test bench strength. However, the five-Test series against Australia will be the ultimate test of skill and endurance.

Given that the series is part of the World Test Championship, every point will be crucial as India looks to secure a place in the final. Additionally, with the IPL also taking place during this period, workload management of key players like Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli will be a key focus for the selectors and the BCCI.

The Bottom Line

The BCCI's announcement of 22 international matches sets the stage for a thrilling year of cricket in India. From the first ball against the West Indies in September to the final Test against Australia in March, fans across 17 cities will witness top-tier cricketing action. The return to Bengaluru and the historic Test in Guwahati add special narratives to what promises to be a memorable home season .

The full schedule is now available on the official BCCI website.