Pitch Perfect: BCCI Rolls Out 2025-26 Season Schedule, NZ Tour Hits Home Grounds in 2026

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released the domestic cricket calendar for the 2025-26 season, starting with the Duleep Trophy on August 28. In another important development, the BCCI also announced the host cities for India's prestigious home series against New Zealand in January 2026, which comprises three ODIs and five T20Is.

 

Key Highlights:

 

•⁠  ⁠The 2025-26 home season begins with the Duleep Trophy (Aug 28–Sep 15) followed by the Irani Cup (Oct 1–5). The Ranji Trophy will be played in two phases: Oct 15–Nov 19, 2025, and Jan 22–Feb 1, 2026, with February knockouts.

 

•⁠  ⁠The structure of the Ranji Trophy has been changed, with only one team being promoted and relegated between the Plate and Elite Groups each season, in the interest of greater competitiveness. Key domestic tournaments such as the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy will have new group formats and a Super League stage to provide keenly contested competition.

 

•⁠  ⁠India's home series against New Zealand in January 2026 will feature ODIs in Baroda, Rajkot, and Indore, and T20Is in Nagpur, Raipur, Guwahati, Vizag, and Trivandrum. This will be important preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

 

Prospect:

 

The new home format and overseas fixture releases are a reflection of BCCI's focus on developing talent, enhancing competition, and preparing Team India for major world tournaments. The season of 2025-26 promises to have high-intensity cricket and defining moments for young stars in store. 

 

Source: Times of India, MyKhel, India Today