The dust has barely settled on the last World Test Championship, but the Indian cricket team is already staring at a calendar that looks more like a marathon than a season. Honestly, if you’re a fan of the longest format, the upcoming india test match fixtures are basically a fever dream. We are talking about a massive transition period. No Rohit Sharma. No Virat Kohli in the whites. It’s the Shubman Gill era now, and his first real trial by fire isn't just a random home series—it’s a full-blown English summer followed by the grind of the 2025-2027 WTC cycle.
Most people look at the schedule and see dates. I see a survival test for a young batting lineup that hasn't spent much time together in swinging or seaming conditions.
The Brutal Road to the 2027 Final
The ICC has laid out the path, and for India, it’s heavy on travel. The cycle for 2025-2027 actually kicked off mid-2025, and the sheer volume of cricket is staggering. India is slated to play 18 Test matches in this window. Only England (21) and Australia (20) have more on their plate.
If you're trying to keep track of where the team is headed, here is the breakdown of the major series that define the current india test match fixtures list.
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The England Away Series (June–August 2025)
This was always going to be the big one. Five Tests. Five iconic venues. It's the ultimate litmus test for Shubman Gill’s captaincy.
- 1st Test: Headingley, Leeds (June 20–24)
- 2nd Test: Edgbaston, Birmingham (July 2–6)
- 3rd Test: Lord’s, London (July 10–14)
- 4th Test: Old Trafford, Manchester (July 23–27)
- 5th Test: The Oval, London (July 31–August 4)
It’s interesting because Lord's remains the one every player wants to tick off. But Headingley? That’s where things usually get weird with the overhead clouds. India’s squad for this tour, featuring names like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan, suggests the selectors are finally done looking backward. They are betting the house on youth.
Home Comforts and Subcontinent Battles
After the English leg, the team gets a bit of a breather with home conditions, though "breather" is a loose term when you're playing West Indies and South Africa back-to-back.
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October 2025: India vs West Indies (Home)
A two-match series that many expect India to dominate. However, with the WTC points system being so unforgiving (it's all about that PCT—Percentage of Points won), a single draw due to rain or a flat deck can ruin a campaign.
November 2025: India vs South Africa (Home)
This is a sneaky-hard series. The Proteas have historically played spin better than most touring sides, and their pace attack can find life even on a dusty Kanpur or Delhi track. We’re looking at two Tests here.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and 2027
The calendar for 2026 is a bit more fragmented because of the T20 World Cup being hosted in India and Sri Lanka during February and March. But the red-ball specialists won't be idle for long.
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- August 2026: India travels to Sri Lanka for a two-Test series. Expect rank turners and a lot of sweep shots.
- October 2026: A quick trip to New Zealand for two Tests. The ball will swing, and the matches will likely be over in four days.
- January 2027: The blockbuster. Australia comes to India for a five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series on Indian soil.
The Captaincy and Workload Conundrum
Let's talk about Jasprit Bumrah. There was a lot of chatter about him leading the side once Rohit retired from Tests. The management eventually went with Gill, mostly because they are terrified of Bumrah’s back giving out under the weight of captaincy duties.
Honestly, it makes sense. You can’t have your best weapon sitting out half the india test match fixtures because he’s exhausted from field settings and press conferences. Even in the England series, don't be surprised if Bumrah is rested for one of the back-to-back Tests.
Why the Points System is Cruel
In the 2025-2027 cycle, every match carries 12 points for a win. But because teams play a different number of matches, the standings are decided by the percentage of points available. This means a loss against a "weaker" side like West Indies at home is mathematically more damaging than losing a hard-fought game at Lord’s.
What to Watch For Next
If you're planning your calendar around these matches, the first thing to do is keep an eye on the domestic Ranji Trophy performers. The squad for the 2026 away tours will likely be picked from those who show they can grind out 200-ball innings.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Bookmark the venues: If you're traveling for the 2026 New Zealand or Sri Lanka tours, venues are usually confirmed only 6-8 months in advance.
- Follow the PCT: Don't just look at the wins; keep an eye on the WTC table updates after every series. India needs to maintain a PCT above 65% to feel safe for the 2027 final.
- Watch the transition: Pay attention to the middle order in the home series against West Indies. That’s where we’ll see if the post-Kohli era has enough "stickability" to survive the long sessions.