5 major cricket tournaments to watch in 2026

The year 2025 was a memorable one for international cricket, with India having an outstanding run, particularly in the white-ball formats. The men’s team triumphed in the ICC Champions Trophy held in the UAE, while the women’s team clinched their first-ever ODI World Cup title. In another remarkable achievement, the Indian blind women’s team won the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup for the blind, marking a historic moment.

In 2025, South Africa showcased their dominance in Test cricket, clinching the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s and backing it up with a 2-0 series win in India. On the other hand, Australia, while unable to defend their WTC title, bounced back in the Ashes, securing a series win by taking the first three Tests against England.

As we look at 2026, there are several thrilling international cricket events on the horizon. In this article, we highlight five major cricket tournaments to keep an eye on in the coming year.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

India aim to defend their title in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, set to take place in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. The tournament will feature 20 teams divided into four groups of five. India are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Namibia, the United States, and the Netherlands.

After the group stage, the top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Eight, followed by the semifinals and final. Suryakumar Yadav will captain India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, with Axar Patel serving as his deputy.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be held in England from June 12 to July 5. Defending champions New Zealand, who claimed their first title in 2024, will look to defend their crown. India, having finished as runners-up in 2020, will be targeting their first-ever T20 World Cup win.

Asian Games 2026

Cricket will return to the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, taking place from September 19 to October 4. Confirmed by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in July 2025, the tournament will feature 10 men’s and eight women’s teams, selected based on their rankings. This will mark the fourth appearance of cricket at the Asian Games, following its first inclusion in 2010 in Guangzhou. India enter as the reigning champion in both the men’s and women’s competitions, having claimed victory in the 2023 edition in Hangzhou.

India tour of New Zealand

India will tour New Zealand as part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, where they are set to play two Tests. This tour presents a tough challenge, considering India’s mixed red-ball record in New Zealand. Out of 25 Tests, India has secured five wins, suffered 10 losses, and drawn 10.

In addition to the Test matches, India are likely to play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against the Kiwis. Though the schedule is not yet finalized, the tour is expected to take place in October-November 2026.

Australia tour of South Africa

Australia’s upcoming tour to South Africa promises another exciting chapter in their ongoing rivalry. The tour will feature three Test matches, part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle, along with three ODIs in September-October. Expect a competitive series.