After the Covid-19 pandemic a large part of the international season in 2020, the India team is set to feature in a gruelling year with a packed calendar throughout the next few months — here’s a look at India’s cricket schedule for 2021.
According to reports, the India team will feature in a total of 14 Tests, 16 ODIs and 23 T20Is throughout 2021. The first two Tests of the year were part of the Australia-India Test series, which India ended up winning 2-1. The first half of the year will also be crucial for India with respect to the ICC World Test Championship 2019-2021, whose final will be held in June.
Note: A few tournaments below are based on the ICC 2018-2023 FTP and reports, but are yet to be confirmed by individual boards.
The complete India schedule for 2021 is as below:
England in India (February-March)
Four Tests, five T20Is, three ODIs
India will host England for their first home series of 2021. The tournament will be held in a bio-secure environment across three venues: Chennai, Ahmedabad and Pune.
IPL 2021 (April-May)
The 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League, whose auction is set to be held on February 18, will move into the 14th season. The tournament will resume less than six months after the culmination of the previous season, although the venue of the tournament is yet to be announced. Reports state that either India or UAE would be chosen to host the T20 tournament.
India in Sri Lanka (June)
Three ODIs, five T20Is
India are slated to travel to Sri Lanka for a white-ball series consisting of eight games in June, just ahead of the Asia Cup, which will also be held in the island nation.
Asia Cup 2021 (June)
Closely following India’s bilateral series would be the Asia Cup, the 15th edition of the tournament, which was postponed for a year in 2020. The matches are supposed to be played in T20I format, featuring six teams.
India in Zimbabwe (July)
India, who last toured Zimbabwe in 2016, will return to the country to play three ODIs right after the Asia Cup.
India in England (August-September)
Five Tests
Less than six months after England’s visit, India will travel to England for the return leg of the series, featuring in a five-Test series starting August. It will be India’s first tour to England since 2018.
South Africa in India (October)
Three ODIs, three T20Is
Two years since they last toured India for a Test series, South Africa will travel to India for a limited-overs series ahead of the T20 World Cup. South Africa’s last visit to India for a one-day series in 2020 was cut short after the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of the three-match series.
ICC T20 World Cup 2021 (October-November)
The 2021 men’s T20 World Cup, which was postponed for a year in 2020, will be held in India from October to November. There will be a total of 45 matches played among 16 teams.
New Zealand in India (November-December)
Two Tests, three T20Is
New Zealand, who last travelled to India for a Test series in 2016, will tour the country at the end of the year for a Test and T20I series.
India in South Africa (December)
Three Tests, three T20Is
India’s last bit of international cricket in the year would be during their visit to South Africa, close to four years after their last visit to the country.
