When will India play Test Cricket next? Full Schedule

Aug 30, 2026 - 13:30

India’s Test schedule now moves on to its next assignment after the team wrapped up its two-match series in Sri Lanka with a 1-0 victory. The second Test in Colombo ended in a draw, bringing the tour to a close and leaving fans to look ahead to India’s next red-ball challenge.

Before returning to Test cricket, India will switch formats for a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. All three matches are set to be played in Delhi, with the series beginning on September 13. The Afghanistan series replaces India’s previously scheduled tour of Bangladesh.

So, when will India play Test cricket next? Here’s a look at the team’s upcoming Test schedule:

India's tour of New Zealand, November 2026

India vs New Zealand (Photo by Abhishek Chinnappa/Getty Images)

India’s next Test assignment will take them to New Zealand for a two-match series in November 2026 as part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. The series will mark India’s next red-ball outing after their Test tour of Sri Lanka earlier in the cycle.

The first Test will be played in Wellington from November 19 to 23, with the match scheduled to begin at 3:30 AM IST. The second Test will be held in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1, with the start time again set for 3:30 AM IST.

The series also allows India to respond after a disappointing home campaign against New Zealand in 2024, when the visitors completed a 3-0 sweep in a three-Test series. With the two teams meeting again in New Zealand, the upcoming assignment promises to be a closely watched one.

Australia's tour of India, January-March 2027

Deep Dasgupta criticises India's performance in BGT 2024-25 (Photo by Santanu Banik/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Following the New Zealand tour, India will return home for a five-Test series against Australia, scheduled from January to March 2027. The series will begin in Nagpur on January 21 and conclude in Ahmedabad on March 3, with Tests also scheduled in Chennai, Guwahati and Ranchi.

The first two Tests in Nagpur and Chennai will begin at 9:30 AM IST, while the Guwahati Test will have a 9:00 AM start. The Ranchi and Ahmedabad Tests are again scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM IST.