India’s win over Zimbabwe has brought another busy period of white-ball cricket to a close. It also marks the end of India’s T20I commitments for a little while, with the team’s focus now shifting towards red-ball cricket and a packed international calendar over the remainder of the year.
The next assignment is a crucial one. In a few days, India will travel to Sri Lanka for a two-Test series that could have a significant bearing on their World Test Championship (WTC) campaign. With every Test carrying enormous value in the race for a place in the WTC final, this tour is likely to be one of India’s most important of the season.
Following the Sri Lanka series, India are reportedly set for a short white-ball series against Afghanistan in Delhi. While the matches are expected to be played in India, Afghanistan will technically be the hosts, creating a unique and unprecedented situation. It would mark the first time that India are officially the touring side while playing international cricket on Indian soil.
The schedule then moves into September and October, when West Indies will arrive for a bilateral series consisting of three ODIs and five T20Is. However, there is an interesting complication. The series overlaps with the Asian Games, for which the BCCI has named a full-strength squad.
That overlap could force India to split their resources, meaning the West Indies squad is likely to feature several fringe players and uncapped cricketers while the primary focus remains another gold medal at the Asian Games. It would also provide another opportunity for emerging players to stake their claim for regular international places.
Once the West Indies series concludes, India’s biggest assignment of the year begins. Between October 22 and December 1, the team will embark on a lengthy all-format tour of New Zealand. It is an exhaustive schedule featuring five T20Is, five ODIs and two Test matches, making it one of India’s toughest overseas tours in recent years.
Remarkably, there will be very little time to catch a breath after returning home. Just two days after the New Zealand tour ends, Sri Lanka will arrive in India for another white-ball series comprising three ODIs and five T20Is.
In short, there is no shortage of cricket for Indian fans over the coming months. From a vital Test series in Sri Lanka to a demanding all-format challenge in New Zealand and plenty of white-ball action in between, Team India’s calendar remains as packed as ever.
