BCCI Finalises New Series For Indian Cricket Team After IPL 2026

Gautam Gambhir with BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia for India. Image Credits: AFPIn a significant development, the BCCI has finalised a new series for the Indian cricket team after the ongoing IPL season. Following the conclusion of the IPL 2026, India are set to take on Afghanistan in a one-off Test and three ODIs. While the one-off Test at Mullanpur Stadium isn't part of the ongoing WTC cycle, it won't take too long for the Indian team to resume their World Test Championship campaign, with the BCCI finalising dates for a riveting series against Sri Lanka. India vs Sri Lanka Test series to be played in AugustAccording to Cricbuzz, the highly anticipated Test series between India and Sri Lanka is all set to be played in August this year. Although the exact dates for the two Test matches have yet to be announced, sources close to the BCCI and the SLC have told Cricbuzz that the series could be played between August 15 and 29. The Indian cricket team is scheduled to travel to the UK for multi-format assignments against Ireland and England. After facing the Irish in two T20Is, India will take on their English counterparts in eight white-ball matches, including five T20Is and three ODIs. Also Read: BCCI, KKR Get In A Nasty Tussle Amid IPL 2026The BCCI has also announced the schedule of India's Zimbabwe tour, where the Men in Blue will clash with the home side across three T20I matches. India's Zimbabwe tour concludes on July 25, with their next official series against the West Indies kicking off on September 27. Thus, there's a cricketing window in August, which the BCCI is going to utilise by keeping the Sri Lanka tour in that particular timeline. The Lanka Premier League 2026 season, which concludes on August 9, will be followed by India's multi-format tour to Sri Lanka. According to reports, both teams might also collide shoulders in three T20I matches that will follow the Tests. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia arrives in Sri LankaThe Cricbuzz report has also revealed that BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has travelled to Sri Lanka, with the ICC aiming to restore stability at SLC. The Sri Lanka cricket board was dissolved by the government following the Dasun Shanaka-led team's shocking elimination from the Super 8s at the T20 World Cup 2026. Despite playing on home soil, the Lankans couldn't live up to the expectations and failed to qualify for the semifinals of the competition. The team's underwhelming performance prompted a reactive step from Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who dissolved the national cricket board amid allegations of mismanagement and corruption. An interim panel comprising nine members was formed by Sri Lanka's sports minister, who urged the committee to bring structural reforms for the betterment of cricket in the Island Nation. With the Sri Lankan government interfering in cricketing affairs, the ICC formed a high-level team, comprising its deputy chairman Imran Khawaja. If the Cricbuzz report is to be believed, Devajit Saikia is one of the crucial members of the panel, and his visit holds significant importance for the BCCI as well as SLC ahead of India's multi-format tour to the Island Nation. Team India's schedule after IPL 2026Afghanistan's tour of India (one Test, 3 ODIs): June 6-20India tour of Ireland (2 T20Is): June 26-28India tour of England (5 T20Is, 3 ODIs): July 1-19India tour of Zimbabwe (3 T20Is): July 23-26India tour of Sri Lanka (2 Tests, 3 T20Is likely): August-September window*West Indies tour of India (3 ODIs, 5 T20Is): September 27- October 17Sri Lanka tour of India (3 ODIs, 3 T20Is): December 13-27Also Read: New IPL Team Joins Race To Buy A Team In India's Premier T20 League For Women, WPL