The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a schedule for the 2025 international season, which will see both India’s men’s and women’s teams tour to play in peak summer. The two countries will be playing against each other in an upcoming season, competing at the same time; giving fans a double dose of competitive cricket. In addition, Lord’s will hold its inaugural women’s Test when India returns for a one-off in the summer of 2026 — another nod to development in the game.
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India’s Men to Face England in a Five-Test Series
The five-Test series between England Men and Indian Men in 2025 Tuesday, December 21st. The first in the series will take place at Headingley on 20th June and travel to other iconic venues such as Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford and The Oval. Recent Test Battles of these two cricketing super powers have delivered some great moments and we can only expect another exciting series in the offing.
Both teams are desperate to make an impact in the longest format and this series is as significant for them. It is ECB’s marquee event and they are hoping to attract big crowds as the momentum of Test cricket, still cherished in England.
India Women to Tour Simultaneously for T20Is and ODIs
While the men are involved in red-ball battles, India Women will be up against England Women in a white ball series that includes five T20Is and three ODIs. The women’s T20I series starts on June 28 at Trent Bridge and also includes matches in Bristol, The Oval, Old Trafford and Edgbaston. After the T20Is, there will be three ODIs between two sides which are fixtured at Southampton, Lord’s and Chester-le-Street.
The move to play men’s and women’s series concurrently has been popular with fans, a key factor in bolstering interest in the women’s game. Having moved to make dual series this strategic priority, the ECB has done more than any board in giving stratospheric notice and convoy of women’s cricket.
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Lord’s to Host First Women’s Test in 2026
The ECB also announced that Lord’s will host its first women’s Test in 2026 – one of the biggest revelations. The iconic venue – India Women will be back for a solitary Test, set to mark the beginning of an era in women’s cricket. Women’s cricket is undoubtedly on the up and that has been displayed by increases in countries fighting for spots within competitions. This decision further highlights a desire to take female cricketing standards to higher levels of standard, reflecting growing competitive pressures.
Other Highlights of the 2025 Season
Two years into the India series, and West Indies and Zimbabwe for 2025 season. Both the West Indies Men and Women are in action as well. With the women slated to play three T20Is and ODIs whereas on the other hand men have ODI’s &T20Is. It has been decided that the Men’s Anglo-Irish Cricket Competition will also be played with newly introduced changes. England will host Zimbabwe in the four-day Test; their first top-level match since World T20 2007.
England will end the summer with South Africa playing three ODIs and T20s each. If not canceled before completion, it is set to be England’s last international fixture before they travel to Ireland for an ODI series.
A Summer of High Expectations
There is a lot of excitement currently amongst cricket fans around the ECB announcing next year’s fixtures.
ECB CEO Richard Gould, said: “India touring is always a big draw and the highlight of any cricket summer. The last men’s Test series here was a thriller and you can bet that it will be equally charged when the two sides meet next year.
WOMEN’S SERIES “Our women’s series are always entertaining and competitive, so having both the Indian and West Indies teams visiting us in 2020 is something we’re all relishing.
Provisional fixtures have become a bugbear for supporters as they wait with bated breath for the best games to be revealed, but it looks like 2025 will not disappoint.
