The preparation for World Cup 2027 starts tomorrow for India. The team is all set to go through an important period of their preparation process with the busy ODI schedule coming up ahead. The attention of the Indian team would shift towards the 50 over format from here on as they start preparing for the next world cup, which will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia between October 4 and November 21, 2027. India is scheduled to play around 23 ODIs in the next six months, and that would give enough scope to the management to experiment with combinations and strategize for the next world cup.
The Indian team’s first major task in the preparation process will start right after IPL when they face Afghanistan at home before heading off to England for a limited-overs series. The Indian team management may also have chances to play more ODIs against different teams if the talks underway with them succeed.
India’s Complete ODI Schedule Till 2027 World Cup
India’s ODI roadmap is really starting to take shape with a lineup of bilateral assignments. The year kicked off with a three-match ODI series against New Zealand in January 2026. After the T20 World Cup and IPL, India welcome Afghanistan for three ODIs in June. Then, in July, the team will head to England for another three-match ODI series, which will be a great opportunity to gain experience in overseas conditions. In September and October, the West Indies will come to India for three ODIs, and later in the year, India will travel to New Zealand for yet another three-match series. To wrap up 2026, India will face Sri Lanka at home in a three-match ODI series.
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| Month(s) | Series / Tournament | Format | Venue |
| Jun | Afghanistan tour of India | 3 ODIs | India |
| Jul | India tour of England | 3 ODIs | England |
| Sep | India vs West Indies | 3 ODIs | India |
| Oct–Nov | India tour of New Zealand | 3 ODIs | New Zealand |
| Dec | Sri Lanka tour of India | 3 ODIs | India |
| Jan | Zimbabwe Tour of India | 3 ODIs | India |
All in all, the confirmed schedule currently has India lined up for 21 ODIs before the end of 2026. There are reports that several cricket boards have reached out to the BCCI about adding more ODI fixtures. Ireland is looking into the possibility of a short limited-overs series during India’s UK visit, while New Zealand has also asked for extra ODI matches during India’s tour. Sri Lanka has shown interest in extending India’s scheduled tour beyond just the planned Test matches. If these talks come to fruition, India’s ODI tally could climb closer to 23 matches in the coming months.
The extensive schedule reflects India’s long-term planning for the 2027 World Cup. With conditions in southern Africa expected to present unique challenges, every ODI will serve as a key assessment point. The coming months will not only help establish combinations but also determine which players can handle the demands of a major ICC tournament.
