Ranchi to host India vs Australia Test match and West Indies T20I

Jharkhand State Cricket Association International Cricket Stadium Ranchi set for Double Cricket Bonanza as BCCI Unveils 2026–27 Home Season Schedule

Ranchi, March 26: Cricket fans in Jharkhand have a reason to celebrate as Ranchi has been allotted two international matches in India’s 2026–27 home season. The city will host a T20 International against West Indies and a crucial Test match against Australia during the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy, according to the schedule released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

The announcement marks a significant moment for Ranchi, reinforcing its growing stature as a reliable international cricket venue. The Jharkhand State Cricket Association International Cricket Stadium will host the second T20I against West Indies on October 9, followed by the fourth Test against Australia from February 19 to 23.

India last played a test match at Ranchi from February 23-26, 2024 against England. Hosts defeated the visitors by 5 wickets.

Last time team India played a T20I at Ranchi was against New Zealand on January 27, 2023. Kiwis won the match by 21 runs. Of the four T20I India has played at this venue they have won three and lost one.

Overall, India will play 22 international matches across 17 cities against four visiting teams — West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and Australia — in what promises to be an action-packed season across formats.

The home season begins with the West Indies tour from September 27 to October 17, featuring three ODIs and five T20Is. While the ODI matches will be played in Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati, and New Chandigarh, the T20Is are scheduled across Lucknow, Ranchi, Indore, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. Ranchi’s inclusion for a T20I highlights its importance in India’s white-ball circuit.

The schedule also signals a return of international cricket to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, which will host a T20I against West Indies and an ODI against Sri Lanka. The venue had been under suspension since June 2024 following a tragic stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL title celebrations that claimed 11 lives. With government clearance now granted, the stadium is set to resume hosting major matches.

In December, India will take on Sri Lanka in a white-ball series comprising three ODIs and three T20Is. Matches will be held in Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Cuttack, and Pune. However, concerns remain over air pollution in Delhi during winter months. The BCCI has previously rescheduled matches in the capital to avoid peak pollution periods, especially around Diwali, after players experienced discomfort during earlier fixtures.

The new year will kick off with Zimbabwe touring India for a three-match ODI series from January 3 to 9, with matches scheduled in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. Though a shorter tour, it provides opportunities for squad rotation and experimentation ahead of a high-stakes Test series.

The highlight of the season will undoubtedly be the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, running from January 21 to March 3. The series will begin in Nagpur and proceed through Chennai, Guwahati, Ranchi, and Ahmedabad, bringing top-tier red-ball cricket to multiple regions of the country.

Ranchi’s role as host of the fourth Test adds prestige to the city, which has steadily built a reputation for producing competitive pitches and hosting well-organised matches. The Test is expected to be crucial in deciding the outcome of the series, given its late placement in the schedule.

Another notable development is Guwahati’s Barsapara Cricket Stadium hosting a Test match in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time. The venue had hosted its maiden red-ball match only recently, making this a landmark moment for cricket in the Northeast.

With matches spread across established and emerging venues, the schedule reflects the BCCI’s intent to expand cricket’s reach while maintaining competitive balance. Cities like Ranchi, Guwahati, and Indore continue to feature prominently alongside traditional centres such as Mumbai, Chennai, and Delhi.

For Jharkhand fans, the double dose of international cricket — a T20I and a Test — promises an electrifying season ahead, with Ranchi once again set to be at the heart of India’s cricketing action.

So far, the JSCA International Stadium has hosted seven ODIs. India has emerged victorious in four matches, suffered defeat in two, while one match was declared abandoned. Besides ODIs, the venue has also witnessed three Test matches and four T20 internationals. In women’s cricket, the stadium has hosted three ODIs and three T20 matches.

India Home Season 2026–27 Schedule

West Indies Tour of India (2026)

Sri Lanka Tour of India (2026)

Zimbabwe Tour of India (2027)

Australia Tour of India (2027) – Border-Gavaskar Trophy