Road To 2027: India’s Strategic ODI Calendar Set To Shape Rohit And Virat's World Cup Dreams

As the euphoria of the Champions Trophy triumph begins to settle, Indian cricket shifts its focus to a longer-term vision—one that culminates in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup in 2027.

Though the marquee event is still two years away, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has meticulously crafted a roadmap involving 27 One Day Internationals across nine series against eight different opponents, offering Rohit Sharma’s men ample opportunity to build a robust core, test emerging talents, and refine strategies across diverse conditions.

India’s ODI calendar leading up to the 2027 World Cup features six home series and three away tours, ensuring a comprehensive preparation phase across formats and geographies.

The structure provides a good balance—acclimating the squad to overseas challenges while also leveraging home conditions for team building and experimentation.

With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli having retired from both T20Is and Test cricket, Indian fans now face the sobering reality that the two stalwarts will only don the national colours in ODIs going forward.

By the time the next multi-nation 50-over event arrives in 2027, Rohit will be 40 and Kohli 38, raising legitimate concerns over their ability to sustain peak fitness and form.

Their absence will be immediately felt when India tours England for a high-profile five-Test series starting June 20, as the duo will no longer be part of the red-ball setup.

For a generation that grew up watching Rohit’s elegance and Kohli’s intensity define Indian cricket, the silence until August—when India next plays ODIs—marks the beginning of a new era, even as the ODI format becomes their final frontier.

Let’s break down the crucial legs of this journey.

August 2025 – The Subcontinental Test in Bangladesh (Away)

India’s ODI campaign resumes with a trip to Bangladesh—a side that has consistently punched above its weight in home conditions. The slow, turning pitches of Mirpur and Chattogram could offer an ideal test for India’s middle-order and spin bowlers. It’s also a series that promises intensity, with recent India-Bangladesh encounters growing increasingly feisty.

October-November 2025 – The Big Test Down Under (Away)

Possibly the most pivotal away assignment in this cycle, India’s ODI series in Australia will be a stern examination of their adaptability and resilience. Australian grounds present unique challenges—pace, bounce, and big boundaries—and will push India’s batting and bowling balance to the limit. The stakes are always high in this storied rivalry, and this series could serve as a psychological barometer ahead of the World Cup.

November-December 2025 – Hosting the Proteas (Home)

India's return home to take on South Africa will be all about strategy. The Proteas bring a blend of pace and power, and India will want to exploit home advantage to test spin-friendly combinations and all-rounders. With the World Cup in mind, this could be a series for trying out new middle-order options and death bowlers.

January 2026 – The Kiwi Challenge Returns (Home)

New Zealand has been India’s World Cup nemesis in recent years, and any opportunity to gain an edge over them is vital. This home series will be a statement marker—one where India will look to assert dominance over a disciplined Kiwi side and set the tone heading into the final year of preparation.

June 2026 – Afghanistan’s Spin Threat (Home)

Afghanistan’s ODI credentials are growing rapidly, especially with their potent spin trio. Playing them in Indian conditions makes this a tactical battle. This series offers a perfect chance for India’s top-order to refine their approach against high-quality spin—a crucial skill for success in any ICC tournament hosted in the subcontinent or Africa.

July 2026 – A Swing Test in England (Away)

The English summer presents an entirely different beast. Swing, seam, and unpredictable weather conditions await Rohit Sharma’s men. If there's one series that will test India’s batting temperament and seam bowling depth, this is it. With England also expected to be a contender at the 2027 World Cup, this tour could offer critical mental and technical learnings.

September-October 2026 – Caribbean Flair at Home (Home)

The West Indies may no longer be the ODI force of the 1980s, but their power-packed lineup and fearless approach make them a dangerous opponent. For India, this home series is a good chance to test younger bowlers and backup pacers in high-scoring matches—vital data points when finalizing the World Cup squad.

October-November 2026 – A Second Kiwi Face-off (Home)

Meeting New Zealand for a second three-match series indicates how crucial the Indian team management considers this rivalry. Both sides will have had time to regroup and revise strategies since the earlier clash. This series could be about fine-tuning match-ups, especially in the middle overs and death bowling scenarios.

December 2026 – Final Subcontinental Showdown vs Sri Lanka (Home)

India’s ODI preparations wrap up with a classic subcontinental duel against Sri Lanka. Despite a decline in recent years, Sri Lanka has always raised their game against India, especially in spin-friendly conditions. This series, likely the final before the World Cup warm-ups begin, will serve as a final audit of India’s squad balance.