ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 full schedule: Whom will India host and tour in the new WTC cycle?
PTI
Synopsis
South Africa clinched the World Test Championship 2023-25, setting the stage for the 2025-27 cycle featuring 71 matches. Australia will play the most matches, followed by England. India begins a new era under Shubman Gill, while South Africa defends their title, promising intense competition and strategic adaptations across diverse conditions.
By ET Online
Last Updated:
South Africa became the winners of World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle after beating Australia in the final by five wickets at Lord's on Saturday. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the schedule for the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.
In the upcoming cycle, runners-up Australia will play the most matches with 22 games, while England follows closely with 21 matches. The two cricket powerhouses will face each other in the Ashes series in Australia later in 2025.
India will start the cycle on the verge of transition under Shubman Gill's leadership, starting with their match against England at Headingly on June 20. The team will compete in 18 Tests during the cycle, including home series against West Indies, South Africa, and Australia, along with away tours to England, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand.
Defending champions South Africa have maintained an unbeaten record since August 2024 under Temba Bavuma's captaincy. Their first series in the new edition will be in Pakistan in October 2025, with their home fans waiting until September 2026 to see them play when they host Australia for three Test matches.
The complete schedule balances the number of series for each team, with some nations playing more Tests than others based on various factors. This arrangement ensures continuous Test cricket action across different venues and conditions over the two-year period.
The championship will witness several high-profile transitions and challenges, particularly with India's leadership change and South Africa's defence of their title.
(With TOI inputs)
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The new two-year cycle will feature 71 matches between nine participating teams. The new edition begins on June 17 with Sri Lanka hosting Bangladesh in Galle.In the upcoming cycle, runners-up Australia will play the most matches with 22 games, while England follows closely with 21 matches. The two cricket powerhouses will face each other in the Ashes series in Australia later in 2025.
India will start the cycle on the verge of transition under Shubman Gill's leadership, starting with their match against England at Headingly on June 20. The team will compete in 18 Tests during the cycle, including home series against West Indies, South Africa, and Australia, along with away tours to England, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand.
Defending champions South Africa have maintained an unbeaten record since August 2024 under Temba Bavuma's captaincy. Their first series in the new edition will be in Pakistan in October 2025, with their home fans waiting until September 2026 to see them play when they host Australia for three Test matches.
The complete schedule balances the number of series for each team, with some nations playing more Tests than others based on various factors. This arrangement ensures continuous Test cricket action across different venues and conditions over the two-year period.
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| Team | Scheduled matches | ||
| Total | Home | Away | |
| Australia | 22 | England (5) New Zealand (4) Bangladesh (2) | West Indies (3) South Africa (3) India (5) |
| Bangladesh | 12 | Pakistan (2) West Indies (2) England (2) | Sri Lanka (2) South Africa (2) Australia (2) |
| England | 21 | India (5) New Zealand (3) Pakistan (3) | Australia (5) South Africa (3) Bangladesh (2) |
| India | 18 | West Indies (2) South Africa (2) Australia (5) | England (5) Sri Lanka (2) New Zealand (2) |
| New Zealand | 16 | West Indies (3) India (2) Sri Lanka (2) | England (3) Australia (4) Pakistan (2) |
| Pakistan | 13 | South Africa (2) Sri Lanka (2) New Zealand (2) | Bangladesh (2) West Indies (2) England (3) |
| South Africa | 14 | Australia (3) Bangladesh (2) England (3) | Pakistan (2) India (2) Sri Lanka (2) |
| Sri Lanka | 12 | Bangladesh (2) India (2) South Africa (2) | West Indies (2) Pakistan (2) New Zealand (2) |
| West Indies | 14 | Australia (3) Sri Lanka (2) Pakistan (2) | India (2) New Zealand (3) Bangladesh (2 |
The championship will witness several high-profile transitions and challenges, particularly with India's leadership change and South Africa's defence of their title.
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The extensive schedule across different continents and conditions will test the adaptability and consistency of all participating teams.(With TOI inputs)
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