With international cricket coming to a virtual halt in 2020 owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, 2021 will see the Indian cricket go through an extremely packed schedule with games lined for almost 12 months starting this November. The summary of the itinerary for Team India will give the reader an idea as to how gruelling the coming year will be.
India’s tour of Australia November 2020 to January 2021
The Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) having committed to all the fixtures cancelled in 2020, the next 12 months will provide little rest for the men in blue as they begin with a tour of Australia that kicks off with a ODI (50-0ver One-Day Internationals) on 27th November. The trip Down Under will entail 3 ODIS, 2 T-20s and 4 Test matches stretching up to January 19th next year.
England’s tour of India 2021
Returning from their Australian tour, Virat Kohli & co. will host England in a 2-month long series stretching from January-end to March that will comprise of 4 ODIs, 4 T20Is and 4 Tests.
IPL 2021 from March to May
Once the England tour is done, the Indian players will prepare themselves for the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League scheduled to be held from March end to mid of May. The IPL 2021 will stage the set for a mega auction with all the franchises witnessing a major reshuffle thus leaving little time for players to adjust with their new teams
May-end limited-over series in Sri Lanka
With the IPL 2020 done, the men in blue will fly to neighbouring Sri Lanka for a three-match ODI and five-match T20I series stretching till June-end.
Asia Cup 2021
However, the Indians won’t be flying back after the limited-over series in Sri Lanka as they will be busy defending their Asia Cup title in the island nation, which will host Asia Cup 2021 scheduled from June-end to the mid of July.
India tour of Zimbabwe 2021
Team India then fly to Zimbabwe for a short ODI series of 3 matches. There is a probability that senior players could be rested for the tour to the African nation. In such case, Indian selectors could go for a crop of young players and provide them the opportunity of gaining some international experience.
England tour from July to September 2021
Come mid July, India will travel to England for a gruelling five-match Test series spanning over a couple of months. The series will carry extra significance as it will be part of the ongoing 2019–21 ICC World Test Championships.
South Africa tour India in October 2021
The Indians will host South Africa for three ODIs and five T20Is which will be a preparation of sorts for ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
India play hosts to ICC T20 World Cup 2021
A tournament that was supposed to have been held in Australia in December 2020 has been moved to India courtesy the pandemic outbreak. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the 2021 T20 World Cup should to be staged per schedule from October to November next year.
New Zealand’s tour of India in November-December 2021
With the T20 World Cup done, Team India welcome New Zealand for 2 Tests and 3 T20Is to be played from November end to the mid of December.
India tour of South Africa in 2021
The Indians will round up the year 2021 with a tour to South Africa where they will play 3 Tests and 3 T20Is.
While it will be a non-stop fest for cricket-crazy Indian fans, the physical and mental toll on players as a result of these gruelling 12 months of play could become a subject of intense debate in time to come.
