With the IPL 2026 season ending in late May, India’s focus will swiftly shift to their next major assignment, the 2027 ODI World Cup. After a T20-heavy phase headlined by Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav, attention will return to the senior duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as India begin building their 50-over campaign from June.
India are already scheduled to play 15 ODIs in 2026 (Star Sports India)
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India are already scheduled to play 15 ODIs later this year. However, if the BCCI agrees to a proposed tweak in their overseas itinerary, Kohli and Rohit could get additional game time in the build-up to the World Cup.
According to a report in CricHub, India are likely to extend the ODI leg of their white-ball tour of New Zealand later this year, trimming the T20I series in the process. The move would reflect the strategic priority being placed on the 50-over format ahead of 2027.
Under the original schedule, India were set to play five T20Is, two ODIs and two Tests across October and November, their first full tour of New Zealand in six years. However, the report suggests the ODI series could be expanded by two additional matches, reducing the T20I leg to a three-match affair.
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Under the original schedule, India were set to play five T20Is, two ODIs and two Tests across October and November, their first full tour of New Zealand in six years. However, the report suggests the ODI series could be expanded by two additional matches, reducing the T20I leg to a three-match affair.
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Sources told the publication that New Zealand Cricket (NZC) initiated the proposal to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). While India’s shift in focus towards ODIs aligns with World Cup preparation, New Zealand’s interest is understood to be commercially driven. An extended ODI series featuring Kohli and Rohit, potentially on their final tour of the country, is expected to generate significant broadcaster and stakeholder interest.
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Neither the BCCI nor NZC has made an official announcement yet, but indications suggest the revised white-ball schedule is likely to be formalised soon.
India's ODI calendar for the second half of this year will begin with a three-match series against Afghanistan in June, three more against England in July, and as many when they return home to take on the West Indies. And India will end the year with a three-match fixture against Sri Lanka.
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.
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Home/Cricket/Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma to get extended game time for ODI World Cup prep as BCCI to accept New Zealand's offer: Report
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