India Upcoming Matches 2025 – Full Test Series Schedule, Key Players & WTC Final Road
India has a packed Test calendar ahead, and with the World Test Championship (WTC) final in sight, every match in 2025 matters. Let’s take a closer look at India’s upcoming matches, the expected squad lineup, and what’s at stake in the race to reach the WTC Final 2025-27 cycle.
India’s Next Test Series: A Busy Start to 2025
After finishing a tight series against England, India will begin their next Test assignment with a two-match series against Bangladesh. The home advantage gives India a chance to grab valuable WTC points.
- Opponent: Bangladesh
- Matches: 2 Tests
- Likely Venues: Hyderabad and Chennai
Expected Squad Highlights:
- Shubman Gill (25) – Expected to open the innings.
- Jasprit Bumrah (31) – Leading the pace attack.
- Ravichandran Ashwin (38) – Likely to return for spin-friendly conditions.
India vs New Zealand: Challenge in Swinging Conditions
Right after Bangladesh, India will travel to New Zealand for two Tests. This will be a real test for batters like Yashasvi Jaiswal (23) and Shubman Gill, as conditions there are known for early swing and movement.
- Opponent: New Zealand
- Matches: 2 Tests
- Likely Venues: Wellington and Christchurch
Players to Watch: Rohit Sharma (38), Mohammed Siraj (31)
Home Series Against Australia – The Big Test
In the middle of the year, India is scheduled to host Australia for a five-match Test series. This is where India can bag the most WTC points.
- Opponent: Australia
- Matches: 5 Tests
- Trophy: Border-Gavaskar Trophy
- Venues: Delhi, Nagpur, Ahmedabad (likely)
- Key Player: Virat Kohli (36), if selected
The Final Stretch: South Africa at Home
India will wrap up 2025 with a two-Test series at home against South Africa. This could be the decider in India’s bid to reach the WTC Final.
- Opponent: South Africa
- Matches: 2 Tests
- Venues: To be announced
- Key Players: KL Rahul (33), Kuldeep Yadav (30)
India’s Full Test Schedule for 2025 (WTC Cycle)
| Opponent | Matches | Home/Away | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 2 | Home | Early 2025 |
| New Zealand | 2 | Away | Mid 2025 |
| Australia | 5 | Home | Mid-Late 2025 |
| South Africa | 2 | Home | End 2025 |
Can India Make It to the WTC Final?
India’s WTC journey has several hurdles. After drawing the recent series against England 2-2, the team needs to win most of the remaining matches to stay in the top two. The five-Test home series against Australia could be the turning point.
If India manages to win at least 7–8 of the remaining 11 Tests in 2025, they’ll stay in strong contention for a WTC Final spot in 2027.
What’s Next for India?
The focus now shifts to how selectors manage workload, especially for senior players like Rohit Sharma, Ashwin, and Virat Kohli. At the same time, youngsters like Jaiswal, Gill, and Iyer have a chance to cement their place in Test cricket.
India’s upcoming matches in 2025 are not just about series wins – they are about laying a foundation for the future. Each session, each day of Test cricket will matter.
