The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering increasing the number of one-day international matches this year as part of preparations for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. The move is aimed at giving players more exposure to 50-over cricket. It could also allow experienced players such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to feature in more ODI matches in the lead-up to the global tournament.
After the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and the two-month-long Indian Premier League conclude, the Indian team is expected to shift its focus back to ODI cricket from June.
India are scheduled to play a series against Afghanistan before taking on England in another ODI contest.
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Possible changes in New Zealand tour schedule
According to a report, discussions are also underway to increase the number of ODI matches during India’s tour of New Zealand later this year.
Team India is set to visit New Zealand in October. As per the current schedule, the tour includes five T20 internationals, two ODIs and two Test matches.
However, under the proposed plan, the number of ODI matches could be increased to four, while the T20 series may be reduced to three games.
Reports suggest that the proposal to increase ODI matches was initially put forward by New Zealand. Although neither cricket board has made an official announcement yet, a revised schedule could be released soon if the changes are finalised.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have retired from T20 and Test
Notably, after India won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2024, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from T20 international cricket. Later, in 2025, just before the England tour, they also announced their retirement from Test cricket.
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Meanwhile, Afghanistan will tour India in June. The series will include one Test and three ODI matches. This series will begin after the 2026 IPL concludes. This will be Afghanistan's first bilateral series against India since the three-match T20 series in January 2024.
Probable schedule of matches
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has announced that the Test match will be held from June 6-10 at PCA Stadium in Chandigarh. The ODI series will begin on June 14. The first match will be in Dharamshala. The remaining two matches will be held on June 17 in Lucknow and June 20 in Chennai.
