In 2017, Virat Kohli and his men played dominating cricket almost the complete year as they won 37 matches out of 53 across formats. They absolutely outplayed each and every team who challenged during their home season. However, some grueling challenges await them in 2018 with more away tours as they will look to reign paramount in next 12 months.
The Men in Blue have so far won 16 bilateral series in a row and have defeated the world-class teams like Australia, England and New Zealand this year. Virat Kohli and his men recently boarded for their tour to South Africa where they are scheduled to play three Tests, six ODIs and three T20Is starting on January 5.
The 50-day tour will conclude on February 24 after which they will again travel to Sri Lanka for the T20I tri-series involving Bangladesh from March 8. Soon after that, the most awaited event of the year, Indian Premier League (IPL), will be played from April 4 to May 31.
Post-IPL, the Indian team will face another strict challenge on their tour to England. The tour comprises of 3 T20Is, 3 ODIs, and five Test matches. They will be in the country for more than two months after which Asia Cup will be held. Soon Windies will arrive India for a whole series across all the three formats. India will finally travel Down Under in November and December to cap off the year as the plan of the tour is yet to be announced.
Here’s the schedule of Team India:
India tour of South Africa (3 Tests, 6 ODIs and 3 T20Is)
1st Test between January 5-9 in Cape Town
2nd Test between January 13-17 in Centurion
3rd Test between January 24-28 in Johannesburg
1st ODI on February 1 in Durban
2nd ODI on February 4 in Centurion
3rd ODI on February 7 in Cape Town
4th ODI on February 10 in Johannesburg
5th ODI on February 13 in Port Elizabeth
6th ODI on February 16 in Centurion
1st T20I on February 18 in Johannesburg
2nd T20I on February 21 in Centurion
3rd T20I on February 24 in Cape Town
T20I tri-series in Sri Lanka (involving Bangladesh) – From March 8 to March 20
Indian Premier League (IPL) 11 – From April 4 to May 31
India tour of England (3 T20Is, 3 ODIs and 5 Tests)
1st T20I on July 3 at Old Trafford, Manchester
2nd T20I on July 6 at Sophia Gardens Cardiff
3rd T20I on July 8 at County Ground, Bristol
1st ODI on July 12 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham
2nd ODI on July 14 at Lord’s London
3rd ODI on July 17 at Headingley, Leeds
1st Test between August 1 and 5 at Edgbaston, Birmingham
2nd Test between August 9 and 13 at Lord’s, London
3rd Test between August 18 and 22 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham
4th Test between August 30 and September 3 at The Rose Bowl, Southampton
5th Test between September 7 and 11 at Kennington Oval, London
Asia Cup 2018 in September (involving Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Qualifier)
West Indies tour of India – Between October and November (3 Tests, 5 ODIs and 1 T20I)
India tour of Australia – Between November and December (4 Tests)
