New Delhi: As the India ODI team gears up for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, veteran stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are focusing exclusively on the 50-over format to ensure peak performance for the mega-event. Both legends have retired from T20Is and Test cricket, allowing them to dedicate themselves fully to the ODI campaign.
According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the duo is expected to feature in nine home ODIs during the 2026-27 season, forming the backbone of the India ODI team. The home fixtures include three ODIs each against West Indies (Sept–Oct 2026), Sri Lanka (Dec 2026), and Zimbabwe (Jan 2027). Key venues include Trivandrum, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.
India ODI Team Schedules Key Away Series Ahead of 2027 World Cup for Rohit & Virat
In addition to home matches, the India ODI team will travel for away series, including three ODIs against Afghanistan in June 2026 and three ODIs against England in July. A tour of New Zealand in 2027 will feature a five-match ODI series, adding to the duo’s preparation for the World Cup. In total, Rohit and Virat are likely to play at least 20 high-intensity ODIs before the 2027 event.
Also read ; Olympics 2028 Transgender Ban: Mandatory Gene Screening to Ensure Competitive Equity
Cricket analysts note that while India has scheduled roughly 27 ODIs across nine bilateral series, workload management will ensure that the veterans play selectively, prioritizing quality over quantity. This strategic approach is aimed at maintaining form and rhythm for the upcoming global tournament.
Full List of Confirmed Home ODI Fixtures (2026-27)
- Sept 27, 2026: vs West Indies – Trivandrum – 2:00 PM IST
- Sept 30, 2026: vs West Indies – Guwahati – 2:00 PM IST
- Oct 03, 2026: vs West Indies – New Chandigarh – 2:00 PM IST
- Dec 13, 2026: vs Sri Lanka – Delhi – 2:00 PM IST
- Dec 16, 2026: vs Sri Lanka – Bengaluru – 2:00 PM IST
- Dec 19, 2026: vs Sri Lanka – Ahmedabad – 2:00 PM IST
- Jan 03, 2027: vs Zimbabwe – Kolkata – 2:00 PM IST
- Jan 06, 2027: vs Zimbabwe – Hyderabad – 2:00 PM IST
- Jan 09, 2027: vs Zimbabwe – Mumbai – 2:00 PM IST
With this packed schedule, the India ODI team aims to combine experience with strategic workload management, ensuring that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain in peak condition for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.