India vs Sri Lanka 2026 Schedule: 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is in December, Dates, Venues, Match Timings and the Delhi Venue Row, Explained
Sri Lanka tour India from 13 to 27 December 2026 for three ODIs and three T20Is. The series opens in Delhi on 13 December and ends in Pune on 27 December. Here is the full schedule with venues and IST start times, the Delhi venue-change reports that the BCCI denied, and where the series fits in India's season.
After a long tour of New Zealand, India return home in December for a six-match white-ball series against Sri Lanka. The tour runs from 13 to 27 December 2026, with three ODIs followed by three T20Is across six different cities. Here is the full schedule.
The 60-second version
- Dates: 13 to 27 December 2026
- Format: 3 ODIs, then 3 T20Is
- Opener: 1st ODI, Sunday 13 December, Delhi
- Finale: 3rd T20I, Sunday 27 December, Pune
- Timings: ODIs 2:00 PM IST, T20Is 7:00 PM IST (as listed by ESPN)
- Delhi venue: BCCI says no decision to move the opener
India vs Sri Lanka 2026: full schedule
| Match | Date | Venue | Start (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | Sunday, 13 December | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | 2:00 PM |
| 2nd ODI | Wednesday, 16 December | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | 2:00 PM |
| 3rd ODI | Saturday, 19 December | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | 2:00 PM |
| 1st T20I | Tuesday, 22 December | Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot | 7:00 PM |
| 2nd T20I | Thursday, 24 December | Barabati Stadium, Cuttack | 7:00 PM |
| 3rd T20I | Sunday, 27 December | MCA Stadium, Pune | 7:00 PM |
The fixtures come from the BCCI's home-season schedule announced earlier in 2026, as reported by Sri Lanka's Ada Derana, and match the listings on ESPN and ESPNcricinfo. Start times can change for broadcast reasons, so check the BCCI's official site closer to each match.
The Delhi venue row
In October, reports claimed the first ODI could move from Delhi to Ahmedabad because of construction work at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed this on 12 October 2026, saying no such decision had been taken and that bilateral matches are allotted under the board's standard rotation policy, as reported by ANI. For now, Delhi remains the venue for the opener on 13 December.
Where the series fits in India's season
| Period | Series |
|---|---|
| 22 October to 1 November | 5 T20Is in New Zealand |
| November | ODIs in New Zealand |
| Late November to early December | 2 Tests in New Zealand (World Test Championship) |
| 13 to 27 December | 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is vs Sri Lanka at home |
The Sri Lanka series closes India's calendar year and gives the selectors a look at white-ball combinations at home after the New Zealand tour. For the current T20I squad, see our explainer on the India vs New Zealand T20I series.
Squads
Neither board has named squads yet. India's squads for the Sri Lanka series are expected after the New Zealand tour, depending on workloads and form. We will update this page when the squads are announced.
Where to watch
Home international cricket in India is broadcast under the BCCI's media rights deals. In recent home seasons, matches have been shown on Star Sports on TV and streamed on JioHotstar. The official broadcaster for this series will be confirmed closer to the tour.
Tickets
Tickets are usually sold online through the host state association's ticketing partner a few weeks before each match. Buy only from the official ticketing partner announced by the BCCI or the state association, and avoid resale offers on social media.
The bottom line
India host Sri Lanka for three ODIs (13, 16 and 19 December) in Delhi, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, and three T20Is (22, 24 and 27 December) in Rajkot, Cuttack and Pune. The BCCI has denied moving the Delhi opener, and squads will follow after the New Zealand tour.
Schedule based on the BCCI home-season fixtures as reported by Ada Derana, and on ESPN and ESPNcricinfo fixture listings. The venue-row statement is as reported by ANI and Devdiscourse on 12 October 2026. Information as of 18 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
›When does the India vs Sri Lanka series start in 2026?
The series starts with the first ODI on Sunday, 13 December 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The tour ends with the third T20I on Sunday, 27 December 2026, in Pune.
›How many matches will India play against Sri Lanka in December 2026?
Six white-ball matches: three ODIs (13, 16 and 19 December) followed by three T20Is (22, 24 and 27 December).
›What time do the IND vs SL matches start?
According to ESPN's fixture listing, the ODIs are scheduled to start at 2:00 PM IST (day-night) and the T20Is at 7:00 PM IST.
›Has the Delhi ODI been moved to Ahmedabad?
No. Reports suggested the first ODI could shift from Delhi because of work at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, but BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said on 12 October 2026 that no such decision had been taken. Delhi remains the listed venue.
›Have India announced the squad for the Sri Lanka series?
Not yet. India first tour New Zealand from late October to early December, and the squads for the Sri Lanka series are expected after that tour.