India To Play 30 ODIs Before 2019 World Cup

In an attempt to remain in the best form for the next year’s World Cup, India will play around 30 ODIs. It accounts for close to 50 percent of the total international games India will be playing in the 2018-19 season.

Overall, India will play close to 63 international games across formats in the upcoming season. Virat Kohli & Co. will play 12 Test matches during the upcoming season along with 21 T20 Internationals. India’s ongoing season (2017-18) will end with the Nidahas Tri-Nation T20 tournament. The series will be held in Sri Lanka and also features Bangladesh.

India will start their season in June after the conclusion of this year’s Indian Premier League. The season will kick-start with a short two-match T20 series against Ireland. In the same month, they will host Afghanistan in Bengaluru for the historic one-off Test.

The much-awaited two and half month tour of England will start in July and end early September. India will play five Tests, three ODIs and T20 each against England.

There is also a window for the Asia Cup. The tournament will be a 50-over format, keeping in mind the World Cup. The date and the venue of the tournament is yet to be finalised.

Unlike the last two year, India’s upcoming home season will be a short one. West Indies will visit India for two Tests, five ODIs and three T20 Internationals during October-November. After that, India will visit Australia to play four Tests, three T20 Internationals and three ODIs in November-December.

India will then tour New Zealand. The tour, however, will have no Test matches. The Men in Blue will play five ODIs and five T20 Internationals against the Black Caps.

In the second half of February, Australia will come to India for a limited overs series where they will play five ODIs and two T20 Internationals. The 2018-19 season will end with Zimbabwe coming for a three-match T20 series.

India’s 2018-19 season itinerary

Estimated International Matches: 63

June 2018: vs Ireland (2 T20I) (Away)

June 2018: vs Afghanistan (1 Test) (Home)

July-September 2018: vs England (5 Tests, 3 ODI, 3 T20I) (Away)

September 2018: Asia Cup (Approx 9 ODIs) (Venue and Date yet to be finalised)

October-November 2018: vs West Indies (2 Tests, 5 ODIs, 3 T20I) (Home)

November-December 2018: vs Australia (4 Tests, 3 ODIs, 3 T20I) (Away)

January-February 2019: vs New Zealand (5 ODIs, 5 T20I) (Away)

February-March 2019: vs Australia (5 ODI, 2 T20I) (Home)

March 2019 : vs Zimbabwe (3 T20I) (Home)