India’s 2024-25 cricket season promises an exciting lineup of matches, including T20Is, ODIs, and Test series that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. This period will witness the Indian team competing both at home and overseas against some of the top cricketing nations. Let's dive into the key series lined up for India.
India vs Bangladesh (September-October 2024)
India's home season begins with Bangladesh’s tour for two Test matches as part of the World Test Championship (WTC). The first Test will be held in Chennai from September 19 to 23, followed by the second in Kanpur from September 27 to October 1. This series will be crucial for India as they aim to secure valuable WTC points early in the season.
After the Test series, the two teams will switch to the shorter format, playing three T20Is across Dharamshala, Delhi, and Hyderabad. These matches will serve as key preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup.
India vs New Zealand (October-November 2024)
Next on the schedule is New Zealand's tour to India for another important WTC series comprising three Test matches. The first Test is slated for Bengaluru from October 16 to 20, followed by matches in Pune (October 24-28) and Mumbai (November 1-5). This series will also test India’s prowess in the longest format of the game, as they face one of the world’s top-ranked Test teams.
India Tour of Australia (November 2024 - January 2025)
One of the marquee events of the season will be India’s tour to Australia, featuring a high-stakes five-Test series as part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This series is historically intense and will play a key role in determining India’s standing in the WTC. The matches will take place across major Australian venues, starting with Perth from November 22 to 26, followed by a day-night Test in Adelaide (December 6-10), Brisbane (December 14-18), Melbourne (December 26-30), and concluding in Sydney from January 3 to 7.
This tour presents a major challenge for the Indian team, as they will face Australia in their home conditions. However, India has performed well in recent tours to Australia, and fans will be hopeful for another strong performance.
India vs England (January-February 2025)
After their return from Australia, India will host England for a series of white-ball matches starting in late January. The teams will face off in five T20Is and three ODIs, starting with the first T20I in Chennai on January 22. Subsequent T20Is will be held in Kolkata, Rajkot, Pune, and Mumbai, with the final match of the series on February 2.
Following the T20Is, the teams will switch formats for a three-match ODI series beginning in Nagpur on February 6, followed by games in Cuttack and Ahmedabad. This series will be key preparation for both sides ahead of the ICC Men's ODI events later in the year.
Overview and Final Thoughts
The 2024-25 cricket season for India will be packed with crucial matches across all formats, from the intensity of Test cricket in the WTC to the fast-paced excitement of T20Is and ODIs. As India looks to dominate both at home and away, their performances will be closely watched by fans and experts alike.
With a combination of home advantage and challenging away tours, India’s cricket schedule 2024 is both rigorous and rewarding. The blend of Test series, T20 matches, and ODIs ensures that the team will be fully prepared for upcoming ICC events. As the season progresses, each match will have significant implications on rankings, points, and the team’s overall momentum leading into 2025.
