The Indian cricket team schedule for 2021 is tight for the Virat Kohli-led side, who has already started their home season with a memorable 3-1 win over England in the four-match Test series.
For India, the year started with their tour of Australia. They then welcomed England at home, kicking off the tour with a Test series.
The Test series win helped Team India seal a berth in the final of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship against New Zealand, to be played at Southampton from June 18 to 22.
Other than the upcoming edition of the Indian T20 League, Virat Kohli’s men will play the much-awaited ICC World Test Championship final, few bilateral series, the Asia Cup and the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup in October-November.
Indian cricket team's schedule for 2021
April to May 2021: Indian T20 League
After the completion of the India-England series, the Indian cricket team players will feature in the 14th edition of the Indian T20 League, which makes a return to India after nearly two years with only six cities hosting the upcoming edition. The tournament will commence on April 9, with the final to be held on May 30.
June to July 2021: ICC World Test Championship final
Following the completion of the Indian T20 League, the Indian cricket team will travel to Southampton for the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand in June. India is also scheduled to play three ODIs and five Twenty20 Internationals in Sri Lanka. Team India will stay in Sri Lanka till July to defend their Asia Cup title.
July 2021: Tour of Zimbabwe
After the Asia Cup, India will travel to Zimbabwe for three ODIs with most of the senior players expected to skip the tour as they prepare for a massive tour against England.
July to September 2021: New ICC World Test Championship begins
Virat Kohli will then lead Team India in their tour of England for a five-Test series, which will be the first series in the new ICC World Test Championship cycle. The visitors will hope they can beat the formidable English side in their own backyard after failing in the last three attempts in 2011, 2014 and 2018.
October 2021: Meeting South Africa at home
After the tour of England, India will host South Africa for three ODIs and five T20 Internationals. Interestingly, this 50-over series is being scheduled after the initial series in March 2020 was abandoned due to the global pandemic.
October to November 2021: ICC World T20
In October-November, India will host the much-anticipated ICC World T20 for the second time, having hosted it in 2016. Virat Kohli and Co. will hope they can clinch the title for the second time after winning it in 2007 under Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Defending champions West Indies, England and Team India will start as favourites.
November to December 2021: Kiwis and Proteas to end the year
In the last two months of the year, India will host New Zealand for two Tests and three T20Is. After the completion of the series, Team India is scheduled to tour South Africa for three Tests and three Twenty20 Internationals. Interestingly, India have never won a series in South Africa and they will certainly hope to change that stat.
Feature image courtesy: Jewel SAMAD / AFP
