The Indian cricket team, which has won the T20 World Cup, will now return to international cricket after a break of about 3 months. At present, from March 28, everyone’s focus will be only on IPL 2026 which will run till May 31. After the end of IPL, the hustle and bustle of international cricket will start once again. While Indian cricket fans are currently waiting for IPL, the cricket boards of other countries are already desperate for the return of international cricket and the reason for this is Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. According to a report, many cricket boards are requesting to play as many ODI matches as possible during the upcoming foreign tours of Team India, so that they can get a chance to see Virat and Rohit.
A report by Indian Express has revealed that team india Despite the already busy schedule, the cricket boards of countries like Sri Lanka, England, New Zealand and Ireland have approached BCCI and proposed to play ODI series on these tours. According to the information, the board is prepared for this to a great extent, due to which changes will have to be made in the already fixed schedule. Its effect has also been seen on Team India’s tour of New Zealand, where earlier only 3 ODI matches were to be played but now 5 ODI matches will be played.
Why are you emphasizing on ODI series?
There is a special reason for such request from the foreign board. Actually, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are now playing only in ODI format and both are likely to retire in or after the World Cup 2027. In such a situation, whatever countries Team India is touring before the World Cup, this could be the last chance to see them in the ODI format. In such a situation, cricket fans present in these countries, especially spectators of Indian origin, can come to the stadium in greater numbers, which will benefit the host cricket board.
At the same time, BCCI also seems to be ready to accept these demands and it is also beneficial in this. In fact, by playing as many ODI matches in foreign conditions, especially in England and New Zealand, Team India will be able to prepare itself well for next year’s World Cup, which is to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
ODI series possible on these foreign tours
After IPL, Team India has to play Test and ODI series against Afghanistan at home. Then she has to tour England in July, where she will play 3 ODIs and 5 T20s. There is a possibility of adding 2 more ODIs. An agreement has also been reached to play a series against Ireland on the same tour. It remains to be decided whether 3 ODIs or 3 T20 matches will be played.
After this, 2 test matches are to be played on the Sri Lanka tour and along with this the Sri Lankan board is also pushing for 3 ODI matches, which will be played for flood relief. After this there is a tour of UAE and Bangladesh but both are currently stuck due to political instability. After this, there will be a tour of New Zealand between October and December, in which apart from Test and T20, 5 ODIs will also be played.