The 2025 international cricket calendar is set for a historic shake-up, with the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle launching in June and a packed slate of bilateral series across continents. Here’s a distinctive breakdown of the number of men’s Test matches scheduled for major teams in 2025, spotlighting key rivalries, debut venues, and the global spread of the longest format.
Key Highlights for 2025
- The WTC 2025–27 cycle begins in June, with each team playing three home and three away series, ranging from two to five Tests per series.
- India’s calendar is especially intense, featuring a five-Test away series in England, followed by home series against West Indies and South Africa, including Guwahati’s maiden Test.
- Australia, England, South Africa, and West Indies face a mix of home and away challenges, with some nations hosting rare visitors and others embarking on long overseas tours.
Scheduled Test Matches by Major Team (2025)
| Team | Notable Test Series Scheduled (2025) | Estimated No. of Tests |
| India | – 1 Test in Australia (Jan, WTC 2023–25 cycle finale) – 5 in England (June–Aug, WTC 2025–27 start) – 2 vs West Indies (Oct, home) – 2 vs South Africa (Nov, home) |
10 |
| England | – 1 vs Zimbabwe (May, 4-day Test) – 5 vs India (June–Aug, home) – 3 vs South Africa (Sep, home) |
9 |
| Australia | – 1 vs India (Jan, home) – 3 in West Indies (June–July, away) – 2 vs South Africa (Aug, home) |
6 |
| West Indies | – 3 vs Australia (home) – 2 in India (Oct, away) – 2 vs Pakistan (home, July–Aug) |
7 |
| South Africa | – 2 in India (Nov, away) – 3 in England (Sep, away) – 2 vs Australia (home, Aug) |
7 |
| Zimbabwe | – 1 in England (May) – 2 vs South Africa (June–July, home) – 2 vs New Zealand (July, home) |
5 |
| Bangladesh | – 2 in Sri Lanka (June, away) – 2 vs Zimbabwe (April, home) – 2 vs India (Aug, home) |
6 |
| New Zealand | – 2 in Zimbabwe (July, away) | 2 |
| Pakistan | – 2 in West Indies (July–Aug, away) | 2 |
| Sri Lanka | – 2 vs Bangladesh (June, home) | 2 |
Numbers are based on available schedules and may be subject to change as fixtures are finalized.
What Makes 2025 Unique?
- Guwahathi’s Test Debut: ndia’s northeast will host its first-ever Test, marking a new chapter in the region’s cricket history.
- Rare Tours: Zimbabwe’s four-day Test in England is a rare fixture, rekindling a long-dormant rivalry.
- High-Intensity Starts: The WTC 2025–27 kicks off with blockbuster series, including India’s five-Test tour of England and Australia’s Caribbean challenge.
- Strategic Scheduling: The IPL window remains free of international Tests for India, ensuring player availability and fan focus.
In Summary
2025’s Test calendar is a global tapestry of tradition and innovation—new venues, rare matchups, and the relentless pursuit of WTC glory. Each team’s journey is shaped not just by the number of matches, but by the unique stories and rivalries that will define the year’s cricketing narrative.
