Honestly, keeping up with the Indian women's cricket team schedule is a bit like trying to track a whirlwind. One minute they are grinding through a domestic season, and the next, they are flying halfway across the world to face the Aussies in their own backyard.
If you think there is a "quiet" period for Harmanpreet Kaur and her squad, you haven't been paying attention. 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most jam-packed years in the history of the sport. We aren't just talking about a few T20s here and there. We’re talking about a historic Test at Lord's, a grueling tour of Australia, and a T20 World Cup that could finally—fingers crossed—bring that elusive silverware home.
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The WPL Chaos and the Flight to Australia
Right now, if you're looking for the team, they aren't actually playing under the "India" banner. They are scattered across Navi Mumbai and Vadodara for the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026. This fourth edition of the league is basically the starting block for the year. It kicked off on January 9 and runs until the final on February 5.
But here’s the kicker: the moment the WPL final ends in Vadodara, the national team has about ten days to switch gears. No rest. No long vacations. They have to jump straight into an all-format tour of Australia.
The Australia Tour (February - March 2026)
Australia in February is hot. The cricket is even hotter. India starts with three T20Is followed by three ODIs, and then the big one: a one-off Test match at the WACA in Perth.
- February 15: 1st T20I at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
- February 19: 2nd T20I at Manuka Oval, Canberra.
- February 21: 3rd T20I at Adelaide Oval.
- February 23: 1st ODI at Allan Border Field, Brisbane.
- February 26: 2nd ODI at Bellerive Oval, Hobart.
- February 28: 3rd ODI at Bellerive Oval, Hobart.
- March 5–9: The Only Test at the WACA Ground, Perth.
Playing at the WACA is a nightmare for most batters because of the extra bounce. For the Indian women, it's a massive test of their technical growth. They’ve shown they can compete in red-ball cricket recently, but Perth is a different beast entirely.
That Historic Date at Lord's
After Australia, the team gets a breather in April and most of May. But come late May, they head to England. This is where the Indian women's cricket team schedule gets really interesting for the purists.
Most fans are looking forward to the T20 World Cup in June, but the bilateral series leading up to it is just as vital. India plays three T20Is against England starting May 28 at Chelmsford. They follow up with games in Bristol and Taunton.
But mark your calendars for July 10, 2026.
History. That’s what that date is. For the first time ever, Lord’s—the "Home of Cricket"—will host a Women’s Test match featuring India and England. It is a four-day affair (July 10-13) that follows the World Cup. It’s wild to think it took this long, but seeing Smriti Mandhana walk out to bat at the Lord's pavilion in whites? That's going to be a "where were you" moment.
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The Big One: ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026
The centerpiece of the summer is the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, hosted by England and Wales. It runs from June 12 to July 5. India is in a tough spot, but then again, when are they not?
The schedule for the group stages is already out, and it’s a gauntlet.
- June 14: India vs Pakistan at Edgbaston, Birmingham. This is always the high-voltage game. The atmosphere in Birmingham is going to be electric.
- June 17: India vs a Qualifier team at Headingley, Leeds.
- June 21: India vs South Africa at Old Trafford, Manchester. This could be the decider for the semi-final spots.
- June 23: India vs another Qualifier at Old Trafford.
- June 28: India vs Australia at Lord's. If India wants to win the trophy, they have to beat the gold standard.
The semi-finals are scheduled for June 30 and July 2 at The Oval, with the final taking place at Lord's on July 5.
Japan and the Defense of Gold
You might think the year ends after the England tour. Nope.
In September, the focus shifts back to Asia. The 2026 Asian Games are being held in Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. India is the defending gold medalist. While the competition isn't as fierce as a World Cup, the pressure of being the "favorites" in a multi-sport event is a different kind of stress.
The matches will be played in the T20 format. Expect a slightly younger squad for this one if the senior players need a rest after the grueling English summer.
Why the Schedule Matters More Than You Think
There is a misconception that women’s cricket is just about the World Cups. If you look closely at the Indian women's cricket team schedule, you'll see a lot of ODIs. These aren't random. They are part of the ICC Women's Championship.
Points from these bilateral series determine who qualifies directly for the next 50-over World Cup. Every match in Australia and England carries weight. If India slips up in a "meaningless" third ODI, it could bite them in the rankings a year down the line.
Also, the sheer variety of conditions is insane. They go from the humid coastal air of Navi Mumbai to the bouncy tracks of Perth, then to the swinging conditions of England, and finally to the unknown artificial or hybrid pitches in Japan.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're planning to follow the team this year, here is how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Book Your Tickets Early for Lord's: The Test match in July is expected to be a sell-out or close to it. Don't wait until June.
- Watch the WPL Breakouts: Keep an eye on the uncapped players in the current WPL season. The BCCI often uses the Asian Games and the later parts of the year to blood new talent.
- Check Local Timings: Matches in Australia will start very early in the morning for Indian viewers (around 2:15 AM or 7:50 AM IST depending on the format). Plan your sleep schedule accordingly.
- Follow the Points Table: Don't just look at the wins; look at the ICC Women's Championship table to see where India stands regarding direct qualification for future events.
The 2026 calendar is a marathon. It’s the year where the "Women in Blue" can transition from being "contenders" to being the dominant force in world cricket.