Can India Secure a Spot in the WTC 2027 Final with This Challenging Schedule?
The new World Test Championship cycle kicks off for India with a challenging five-Test series in England, led by their new captain Shubman Gill. Throughout the cycle, India will tour England, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. At home, they’ll host West Indies, South Africa, and New Zealand. With fresh leadership and tough opponents, it promises to be an exciting and competitive journey for the Indian Test team.
After being finalists in the 2019-2021 and 2021-2023 World Test Championship cycles but missing the 2023-2025 final by a whisker, finishing third, India is ready to tackle the 2025-2027 cycle with fresh energy. Under new captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Rishabh Pant, the team faces a big challenge following the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin, whose absence leaves a huge gap in experience and flair.
India’s campaign kicks off with a tough five-Test series in England from June 20 to August 4, 2025. Facing swing-friendly pitches at venues like Lord’s and The Oval, India will look to repeat their strong 2021 performance, where they led 2–1 before the series ended 2–2. Next, they host the West Indies for two Tests in October 2025, a chance to blood new talent on home soil. In November-December 2025, South Africa visits for two Tests, a stern test given their current top ranking in the WTC.
| Series | Opponent | Venue | Dates | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | Away | June 20 – August 4, 2025 | 5 |
| 2 | West Indies | Home | October 2–14, 2025 | 2 |
| 3 | South Africa | Home | November 14 – December 19, 2025 | 2 |
| 4 | Sri Lanka | Away | August 2026 | 2 |
| 5 | New Zealand | Away | October–November 2026 | 2 |
| 6 | Australia (Border-Gavaskar Trophy) | Home | January–February 2027 | 5 |
In August 2026, India travels to Sri Lanka for two Tests, where familiar subcontinental conditions should suit them, though Sri Lanka’s home resilience will keep them on their toes. Later, in October-November 2026, a two-Test series in New Zealand’s seamer-friendly conditions will demand grit, especially after India’s 3-0 home loss to them in 2024.
The cycle wraps up with the blockbuster five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at home in January-February 2027. After losing the trophy in 2024-25, India will be hungry to reclaim it in this high-stakes rivalry. With 18 Tests, nine at home and nine away, India’s mix of youth and experience, including players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja, will be key.
India vs England — Away
Starting the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, India faces a grueling five-Test tour of England from June 20 to August 4, 2025, their first assignment since the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. New captain Shubman Gill has a tough task ahead, leading a team missing the experience and flair of these legends. With Rishabh Pant as vice-captain, India will lean on young stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal and veterans like Ravindra Jadeja to fill the void.
| Test No. | Dates | Venue | City | Time (IST) | Time (GMT / Local) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | June 20 – 24, 2025 | Headingley | Leeds | 3:30 PM | 10:00 AM GMT / 11:00 AM Local |
| 2nd Test | July 2 – 6, 2025 | Edgbaston | Birmingham | 3:30 PM | 10:00 AM GMT / 11:00 AM Local |
| 3rd Test | July 10 – 14, 2025 | Lord’s | London | 3:30 PM | 10:00 AM GMT / 11:00 AM Local |
| 4th Test | July 23 – 27, 2025 | Old Trafford | Manchester | 3:30 PM | 10:00 AM GMT / 11:00 AM Local |
| 5th Test | July 31 – August 4, 2025 | The Oval | London | 3:30 PM | 10:00 AM GMT / 11:00 AM Local |
The series begins at Headingley, Leeds (June 20–24), a venue known for its swing-friendly pitches. The second Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham (July 2–6), will test India’s batting against England’s pace attack. The iconic Lord’s in London hosts the third Test (July 10–14), where Gill’s leadership will face scrutiny. The fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester (July 23–27), brings challenging conditions, and the series wraps up at The Oval, London (July 31–August 4), a ground where India won memorably in 2021.
All matches start at 3:30 PM IST (10:00 AM GMT/11:00 AM local). Gill’s team must adapt to England’s seam and swing while countering a strong home side. With no Kohli or Rohit, the batting line-up faces pressure, but this tour is a chance for India’s youngsters to shine.
India vs West Indies — Home
After the England series, the Indian cricket team returns home for a two-Test series against West Indies in October 2025, kicking off their home leg of the 2025-2027 World Test Championship. Led by Shubman Gill, with Rishabh Pant as vice-captain, India sees this as a golden chance to dominate at home. It’s the first time since 2018 that the West Indies will tour India for Tests, and after India’s 12-year unbeaten home series streak ended in 2024, this series is a shot to reassert their authority.
| Test No. | Dates | Venue | City | Time (IST) | Time (GMT / Local) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | October 2 – 6, 2025 | Narendra Modi Stadium | Ahmedabad | 9:30 AM | 4:00 AM GMT / 9:30 AM Local |
| 2nd Test | October 10 – 14, 2025 | Eden Gardens | Kolkata | 9:30 AM | 4:00 AM GMT / 9:30 AM Local |
The first Test starts on October 2 in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, where spin-friendly pitches should suit India’s bowlers like Ravindra Jadeja. The second Test follows on October 10 at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens, a venue known for big crowds and lively conditions. Both matches begin at 9:30 AM IST (4:00 AM GMT/9:30 AM local), offering India’s spinners and batsmen a chance to shine. Dominating at home will boost India’s WTC points and confidence ahead of tougher challenges.
India vs South Africa — Home
India’s two-Test home series against South Africa in November 2025, part of the 2025-2027 World Test Championship, is a big deal. It’s South Africa’s first Test tour to India since 2019, and they’re coming to win, led by stars like Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, and Kagiso Rabada. India faces a tough challenge to defend their home turf after their 12-year unbeaten home streak ended in 2024. The action starts with the first Test on November 14 at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, where spin-heavy tracks could trouble South Africa’s batsmen.
| Test No. | Dates | Venue | City | Time (IST) | Time (GMT / Local) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | November 14 – 18, 2025 | Arun Jaitley Stadium | Delhi | 9:30 AM | 4:00 AM GMT / 9:30 AM Local |
| 2nd Test | November 22 – 26, 2025 | ACA Stadium | Guwahati | 9:30 AM | 4:00 AM GMT / 9:30 AM Local |
The second Test, from November 22, takes place at Guwahati’s ACA Stadium, a venue that might offer pace and bounce, favoring bowlers like Rabada and Jansen. Both games kick off at 9:30 AM IST (4:00 AM GMT/9:30 AM local). South Africa, riding high as WTC table-toppers, will test India’s batting and bowling depth with their disciplined attack and resilient batting. India, eager to reassert their home dominance, will rely on their spinners and top-order firepower to counter the Proteas’ pace and grit.
India vs Sri Lanka — Away
The fourth series, where India competes in the 2025-2027 World Test Championship, takes them to Sri Lanka in August 2026 for a two-Test battle. After a nine-month gap since their last Test series against South Africa in November 2025, India returns to Test action, marking their first tour of Sri Lanka since 2017. The spin-friendly pitches in Sri Lanka promise a tough challenge for India’s batsmen and bowlers, who must adapt to turning tracks and humid conditions.
India go 1-0 up in the #SLvInd Test series as they beat Sri Lanka by 304 runs in Gallehttps://t.co/lllokzZiRH pic.twitter.com/OLtrNNLTWP
— ICC (@ICC) July 29, 2017
The series, likely hosted at venues, will test India’s ability to counter Sri Lanka’s crafty spinners and resilient batting line-up. Sri Lanka, playing at home, will be no pushovers, with their experience in these conditions giving them an edge. The matches, part of the WTC cycle, are crucial for India to rack up points after a demanding schedule. Coming off a long break, India will rely on their spin bowling arsenal and versatile batsmen to tackle Sri Lanka’s spin-heavy attack.
India vs New Zealand — Away
Another tough tour for the Indian team in the 2025-2027 World Test Championship awaits as they travel to New Zealand for a two-Test series in October–November 2026. This marks a chance for India to seek revenge after New Zealand’s stunning 3-0 sweep in India in 2024, which snapped their 12-year unbeaten home Test series streak. The wounds from that loss fuel India’s hunger to turn the tables on New Zealand’s home turf.
🚨 HISTORY CREATED BY KIWIS. 🚨
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 3, 2024
– New Zealand becomes the first team to whitewash India in a 3 or more match Test series in India. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/6HmGIPqtJ5
New Zealand’s seamer-friendly conditions, with swing and bounce, make batting a real challenge. The swinging ball will test India’s batsmen, who struggled against similar conditions in 2020, losing 2-0. India’s top order must show grit to handle the moving ball, while their pacers and spinners need to exploit New Zealand’s pitches to counter their balanced attack. This series is critical for WTC points, with India aiming to climb the standings.
India vs Australia — Home
The showdown of the 2025-2027 World Test Championship for India is a huge five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at home in January–February 2027. After the heartbreak of losing the trophy in 2024-25, India are fired up to snatch it back on their pitches. This series is massive, with India desperate for WTC points to seal a spot in the 2027 final.
Australia’s rolling in with heavyweights like Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc, all hungry for their first Test series win in India since 2004. Their pace attack and gritty batting will go head-to-head with India’s spin wizards on turning tracks, with roaring home crowds adding to the heat. India, still stinging from that 2024 defeat, will lean on their crafty spinners and bold batsmen to dominate at home.
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