The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has asked its Future Tours Programme (FTP) members to prepare a more balanced calendar for the 2027-31 cycle, with adequate gaps for player rest and overseas preparation. The board is particularly keen on ensuring enough time for tours to SENA nations — South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia — as India prepares for another demanding international cycle. The FTP for the 2027-31 period is yet to be finalised.
However, the BCCI has already communicated its priorities to the other FTP members. According to a Cricbuzz report, an FTP workshop is scheduled to take place in Dubai on September 22 and 23, where representatives from various cricket boards are expected to discuss and shape their respective schedules. The discussions will be important for India given the increasingly crowded international calendar.
After the recent review meeting of the Indian team, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia acknowledged the challenges created by the number of matches played each year. Managing player workload while maintaining a strong international team has become a major priority for the board. Saikia indicated that the next FTP should provide players with sufficient recovery time while also allowing India to prepare properly before challenging overseas assignments.
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The BCCI is considering arranging practice or friendly matches ahead of major series in SENA countries to help players acclimatise to different conditions. “The challenge we are facing is that there are too many matches in the year, and that is why, in the next FTP, we will do certain things and take certain measures,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said after the review meeting.
Key takeaways from the BCCI review meeting (Express Sports):
– BCCI acknowledges heavy schedules and the IPL are driving player fatigue and injuries.
– BCCI will push for a more player-friendly FTP.
– Future calendars will guarantee adequate rest between series.
– Mandatory… pic.twitter.com/MxTYXlDQwc— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 5, 2026
“We have instructed our FTP people, who will be meeting very soon at various international forums, that our FTP should be scheduled in such a way that there is proper rest for the players, as well as some kind of acclimatisation or friendly matches before any major series in SENA countries.”
The proposed changes come after India’s disappointing results against Ireland and England during their UK tour earlier this year. The BCCI appears keen to ensure that the team enters future overseas assignments better prepared rather than immediately transitioning from one tournament or bilateral series to another. However, finding space for additional friendlies will not be straightforward. India’s 2027-31 calendar will already feature several ICC events, bilateral commitments and World Test Championship (WTC) fixtures.
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The schedule will include the 2028 T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the 2029 Champions Trophy in India, the 2030 T20 World Cup in England, Scotland and Ireland, and the 2031 ODI World Cup, jointly hosted by India and Bangladesh. Alongside these white-ball tournaments, India will continue playing home and away Test series as part of the WTC cycle. The Men in Blue also have upcoming commitments against Afghanistan and West Indies, adding to an already packed international calendar.
