In 2020, Team India is set to face its first challenge beginning January 5 when it takes on the island nation Sri Lanka in the three-match T20I series. India is looking to lift the T20 World Cup in Australia after it disappointed in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, following its loss to New Zealand in the semi-finals.
At the helm will be Virat Kohli, and he together with Rohit Sharma will carry the burden of Indian cricket on their shoulders. They are the world-class players from India who made it to ICC rankings in batting all the three formats.
India will depend on Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav to pick up quick wickets in the shorter formats while Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja would be expected to deliver in the longer formats. Of course, Indian pacers have been a revelation in 2019. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, besides Deepak Chahar, Khaleel Ahmed and others will have to provide the vital breakthroughs.
Sri Lanka’s Tour of India
The following are the venues and dates:
- January 5, Venue: Baraspara Stadium, Guwahati
- January 7, Venue: Holkar Stadium, Indore
- January 10, Venue: MCA Stadium, Pune
Australia’s Tour Of India
It will be followed by the Australian tour of India, which will take place from January 14th – January 19th. Aussies will face Indians in a three-match ODI series.
The following are the venues and dates:
- January 14, Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- January 17, Venue: Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot
- January 19, Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
India’s New Zealand Tour
India will then undertake a month and a half tour of New Zealand from January 24th to March 4th.
In New Zealand, India will play a five-match T20I series, 3 ODIs and 2 Test matches.
The following are the venues and dates:
- January 24, 1st T20I; Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
- January 26, 2nd T20I; Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
- January 29, 3rd T20I; Venue: Seddon Park, Hamilton
- January 31, 4th T20I; Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
- February 2, 5th T20I; Venue: Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui
- February 5, 1st ODI; Venue: Seddon Park, Hamilton
- February 8, 2nd ODI; Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
- February 11, 3rd ODI; Venue: Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui
- February 21, 1st Test; Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
- February 29, 2nd Test; Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch
South Africa’s Tour Of India
In March, South Africa will tour India to play between March 12th and March 18th.
The following are the venues and dates:
- March 12, 1st ODI; Venue: HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala
- March 15, 2nd ODI; Venue: Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium, Lucknow
- March 18, 3rd ODI; Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
India’s Tour Of Sri Lanka
After a summer break, India will tour Sri Lanka in July to play a 3-match ODI and T20 series, dates, and venues of which are yet to be announced.
Asia Cup
Though Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in Pakistan, it is uncertain whether India will participate in or not owing to security reasons.
England’s India Tour
Come September, England will arrive in India for an ODI series, venues and dates for which have not yet been finalized.
ICC T20I World Cup 2020
Later in October, India will face their biggest challenge as they tour Australia to play in the ICC T20I World Cup 2020. ICC is yet to announce the dates and venues.
India vs Australia in Australia
In November-December, immediately after the mega-event. India will play 3 ODIs and 4 Tests against Australia. The dates and venues for these matches will be announced later.
