India's Test prep hampered by packed calendar ahead of NZ and Australia series
India's cricket board faces a tight schedule that limits red-ball practice before the New Zealand Tests in November and the five-Test Border-Gavaskar series starting in January 2027.
With India sitting fifth in the World Test Championship, the BCCI must juggle two crucial Test series - against New Zealand in November and the home Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia from January 21, 2027. Shubman Gill has urged that India’s batsmen receive match practice on turning pitches by facing Australia ‘A’ in Puducherry, yet the second four-day match coincides with the Irani Cup in Srinagar. Meanwhile, the Asian Games squad and a three-ODI West Indies series run from late September to early October, leaving few senior Test players available for the ‘A’ fixtures.
The board has prepared visa applications for almost 60 players to cover the congested itinerary, which also includes a T20I series in October and overlapping ‘A’ matches before the New Zealand Tests. Coaches Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman have highlighted the need for at least ten to fourteen days of dedicated preparation, but scheduling conflicts threaten that window.
Why it matters
The cramped calendar could hinder India's readiness for key Test series, affecting its World Test Championship standing.
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