The ICC is holding a cricket operations workshop in Dubai this week. The main topic is the next Future Tours Programme. That FTP will cover the 2027 to 2031 cycle. The current cycle ends in March 2027. Officials say the final FTP will not be ready yet because many details are still moving. More commitments should be settled, though. The full FTP may be presented at the ICC quarterly meeting in November in Bali.
There will likely be more T20Is between Full Members in the next cycle. That will mean fewer bilateral ODIs. The calendar is getting crowded. T20Is are seen as a way to grow the game. The T20 World Cup is also held every two years, while the ODI World Cup is every four years. An ICC board director from Namibia said Associates may get more chances in T20 cricket.
However, ODIs are not dead. The ODI World Cup is still the biggest event. Some members want to make ODIs more meaningful. They are talking about bringing back tri-series and quadrangular tournaments. Those formats were common in the 1990s.
The main commitments for Australia, England, and India are almost set. The Ashes will follow its usual pattern. There will be a series in 2027 in England, 2029-30 in Australia, and 2031 in England. England will tour India for Tests in early 2028. India will then tour England in 2029.
The 2027-31 cycle also includes the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Cricket will return to the Olympics for the first time since 1900. The men’s T20 event will be in July, clashing with England’s home Test series against West Indies.
South Africa are expected to host India right after the 2027 ODI World Cup. That tournament will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in October and November. Pakistan cannot play bilateral cricket with India. So they have pushed for more matches with England and Australia. They have already announced a five-match ODI series against England next summer. They also have a three-Test tour of Australia in 2027-28.
The future of the World Test Championship is still being discussed. It is currently in its fourth cycle. There was talk of a two-tier league, but that was dismissed. In April, an ICC working committee suggested adding Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Ireland to the nine teams. It also suggested including one-Test series. Zimbabwe are believed to be keen. It is not certain if Afghanistan and Ireland are. It is still unclear if the WTC will expand for the next cycle from 2027 to 2029. There may be some direction later this week.
The ICC will also discuss its DRS accreditation programme. The goal is to expand the number of review technology suppliers. Right now, Hawk-Eye and Virtual Eye are the only approved suppliers for DRS in international cricket.
The Financial Clamour for “Big Three” Series
India’s cricket calendar is packed, and the next Future Tours Programme could be a chance to fix it. The ICC met in Dubai to work on the FTP for the 2027 to 2031 cycle. India also needs to play a certain number of white-ball games each year because their broadcast partners need content. But the schedule is now too crowded.
India captain Shubman Gill has said it is becoming hard to plan for long Test series or major tournaments. Players are not staying fit long enough. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia also admitted the FTP is a headache. He said players are getting injured because they play too many matches. For example, on the England tour, three or four players from a 15-man ODI squad got injured. Many of them had just played two months of IPL cricket.
Saikia said the BCCI will take steps in the next FTP. The board wants proper rest for players. It also wants acclimatisation or friendly matches before major series in SENA countries. That sounds good, but India also adds extra matches for other reasons.
India wants a five-Test series against England and Australia for revenue. They also schedule some games for non-cricket reasons. For example, the T20I against Japan is part of a government agreement called Sport 75. It supports India’s goal to host the 2036 Olympics. India also plays in the Asian Games, even though cricket already has the Asia Cup. And they have added three home ODIs against Zimbabwe in 2027.
None of these extra matches alone is a huge problem. But each one adds travel and training days. The schedule has no room to breathe. Everyone knows the problem is real, but the actions still do not match the words. Players are left to deal with the consequences.
FAQs
Q. What years will the next ICC FTP cover?
A. It will cover the 2027 to 2031 cycle.
Q. Why could there be more T20Is?
A. T20Is are seen as a way to grow the game.
Q. Could tri-series return in the next FTP?
A. Yes, some members want more tri-series and quadrangular events.
Q. When will cricket return to the Olympics?
A. Cricket will return at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Q. Which teams currently provide approved DRS technology?
A. Hawk-Eye and Virtual Eye are currently approved.
Get the Latest Cricket Updates at IceCric.News. Also, Follow Our Social Media for live updates on Facebook and Instagram.
