The year 2020 ended finally. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was not a good year for sports as well. Many cricket series including T20 World Cup have been postponed. Team India has played only 24 matches including all formats Test, ODI, and T20 in 2020. In 2019, Team India has played 52 matches that is 116% more than in 2020. The Indian team has to play more than 55 matches in 2021. If this happens, it will be the first time in history. As Team India has not played more than 55 matches in a single calendar year so far. Previously, in the year 2007, the team had played 55 international matches that include 10 Tests, 37 ODIs, and 8 T20s.
This year 2021, India will play more than 55 international matches. According to the reports, India will play 14 Tests, 16 ODIs, and 23 T20s. The numbers do not include Asia Cup, T20 World Cup, and also the ICC Test Championship final. Let us check out Team India’s complete schedule for the year 2021. The dates for most of the series are tentative and are subject to change.
Team India’s Schedule 2021
January: India In Australia
The year will start with an on-going Border-Gavaskar Test series between India vs Australia. The four-Test series is level at 1-1. The third test will be played in Sydney from January 7th, followed by the fourth from January 15th scheduled in Brisbane.
February – March: England In India
After returning from Australia, India will start their home campaign against England in a full-fledged series that includes four Tests, three ODIs, and five T20s. The schedule for England touring India is out. The tour will begin with a test series with the first test will be played on February 5th at Chennai. The first two Tests will be played in Chennai and the last two will be played in newly constructed Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad. All five T20s will be played in Ahmedabad. The three ODIs will be played in MCA Stadium, Pune. The tour will end with a third and a final ODI on March 28 in Pune.
March – April: Afghanistan In India
Shortly after the England series, Afghanistan will tour India to play three ODIs. The fixture of this series is yet to freeze. However, it will be played before IPL 2021.
April – May: IPL 2021
The 14th edition of IPL will mostly be played in India. It will be the 14th season of the Indian Premier League. The last season was played in UAE from September 19th to November 10th because of COVID-19. However, mostly this season will be played in India.
June – July: India In Sri Lanka And Asia Cup
After IPL, Team India will tour the neighboring country Sri Lanka to play three ODIs and five T20s. India will stay in Sri Lanka to play the Asia Cup. They will be defending their title against Asian teams like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan. India will play against Pakistan after a long gap of two years. If India qualifies for the final of the World Test Championship, they will play another Test match. The final will be played during the month of June or July at Lords, London.
July: India In Zimbabwe
Team India will tour to Zimbabwe for the limited-over series after they return from Sri Lanka. The series was scheduled for 2020, but it was postponed due to a coronavirus pandemic. There is a possibility that the key players will be rested for this series to manage the workload. Some of the new and young players will get the opportunity to play the series against not so strong Zimbabwe.
August – September: India In England
After hosting England at home, India will tour England in August for the five-Test series. This will be one of the toughest and biggest challenges for Team India in 2021. This is the first time India and England will play these many Test matches in a single calendar year. Earlier in 1982, six Test matches were played between the two teams. The most Test matches they have played each other in a single calendar year.
October: South Africa In India
After India’s tour of England, India will host South Africa in October for three T20s and three ODIs. This series will be played ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
October: ICC T20 World Cup 2021
India will host T20 World Cup for the second time in history. Previously, in 2016, India has hosted the event and West Indies won the title then. India has won the T20 World Cup only once and that was the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in South Africa, 2007.
November – December: New Zealand In India
India will then host New Zealand for two Tests and three T20s. The series will be delightful to watch as it will be a contest between a calm and composed Kane Williamson team and an aggressive Virat Kohli team. The series will be competitive and equally exciting.
December: India In South Africa
Team India will end the year 2021 with a tour to South Africa in December. They will play three Tests, and as many T20s against South Africa.
2021 will be the busiest and most occupied year for Team India. This was Team India’s complete schedule for the year 2021. For which series you guys are excited about the most? Let us know in the comments below.
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