September Cricket 2026: Major Matches, Series and Events to Follow
Cricket fans have plenty to look forward to as September 2026 moves into its final weeks. International teams are already preparing for major tournaments ahead, while bilateral series and multi-sport competitions are adding plenty of variety to the calendar.
For readers following the latest cricket developments, Reddy Raj offers another place to keep up with sports-related information and updates.
India vs Afghanistan: T20I Series
One of the key cricket contests taking place in September is the three-match T20I series between India and Afghanistan.
The series is being played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, with matches scheduled for September 13, 15 and 17. The fixtures form part of Afghanistan's ongoing international programme and give both teams an opportunity to assess their T20 combinations.
With the T20 format demanding quick decisions and adaptable line-ups, these matches are particularly useful for teams building towards future international competitions.
Asian Games Cricket Begins
Cricket is also returning to the Asian Games in Japan.
The 2026 Asian Games cricket competition begins in September in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. India enter the competition as defending champions in both the men's and women's events after winning gold at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Women's competition:The women's cricket tournament begins on September 17, with India scheduled to face hosts Japan in the opening stage. The semi-finals are scheduled for September 20, followed by the bronze-medal and gold-medal matches on September 22.
Men's competition:The men's preliminary-stage matches begin on September 24. The tournament then moves into the quarter-finals from September 28, with the competition continuing into October before the medals are decided.
The Asian Games provide an important platform for countries developing their cricket programmes, particularly because the tournament brings cricket into a broader multi-sport environment.
Australia Begin World Cup Preparation
Australia are also involved in an important sequence of ODI fixtures as preparations for the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup continue.
The Australian side is playing Zimbabwe in a three-match ODI series in Harare on September 15, 18 and 20. Australia will then travel to South Africa for another three-match ODI series beginning September 24.
The South Africa series is scheduled for:
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | September 24 | Durban |
| 2nd ODI | September 27 | Johannesburg |
| 3rd ODI | September 30 | Potchefstroom |
These six matches give Australia valuable 50-over preparation well ahead of the 2027 World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
South Africa Welcome Back Experienced Players
South Africa have selected a strong squad for their ODI series against Australia.
Temba Bavuma returns as captain, while several experienced players are also back in the ODI setup, including Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, David Miller, Quinton de Kock and Lungi Ngidi. Gerald Coetzee has also returned to the 50-over squad.
The series is significant because both sides are looking beyond the immediate fixtures toward the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
South Africa will also host Australia for three World Test Championship matches in October, adding another layer to the teams' upcoming schedule.
India's Busy 2026–27 Home Season
India's international calendar is also entering a busy period.
The BCCI announced a 22-match home season involving West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Australia across multiple formats. The programme begins with West Indies visiting India for three ODIs and five T20Is from late September into October.
The West Indies ODI fixtures are scheduled for:
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | September 27 | Trivandrum |
| 2nd ODI | September 30 | Guwahati |
| 3rd ODI | October 3 | New Chandigarh |
The T20I series follows from October 6 through October 17.
Later in the season, India will host Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Australia, including a five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series beginning in January 2027.
Why September Matters for the 2027 World Cup
Although the 2027 Cricket World Cup is still more than a year away, September 2026 represents an important stage in preparation. Teams can use ODI series to:
- Test different combinations.
- Evaluate players competing for World Cup places.
- Develop strategies for conditions in southern Africa.
- Give younger players international experience.
- Build consistency in the 50-over format.
Australia's Nathan Ellis, for example, has spoken about the importance of the current ODI programme as he competes for a place in Australia's eventual World Cup squad.
The Road to Cricket World Cup 2027
The 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup will be hosted across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The tournament will mark the return of the men's 50-over World Cup to Africa and will provide teams with very different playing conditions across the three host nations.
For players and coaching staff, the current bilateral matches are therefore more than isolated fixtures. They form part of the longer preparation cycle leading into the tournament.
Players to Watch During the Coming Weeks
September and October could also provide opportunities for several players to strengthen their international positions.
Australia's ODI group contains experienced names alongside players competing for longer-term places. South Africa have similarly brought several established players back into their ODI squad.
India also have several selection questions to consider as they move between T20I, ODI and Test cricket.
One notable development is Hardik Pandya's potential return to competitive cricket through India A's October ODI series against Australia, subject to fitness clearance.
Cricket Fans Have a Packed Calendar
The coming weeks demonstrate how quickly the international cricket calendar is moving.
From the India-Afghanistan T20I series and Asian Games cricket to Australia's ODI programme and India's upcoming home season, there is a mixture of short-format and 50-over cricket for fans to follow.
The Asian Games add another dimension, while the Australia-South Africa ODIs provide an early look at teams preparing for the next World Cup.
Final Thoughts
September 2026 is shaping up as an important month for international cricket. While some competitions focus on immediate results, many of the major fixtures also have a longer-term purpose.
Teams are experimenting with combinations, players are competing for places, and preparations for major tournaments are already underway.
For sports followers, the next few weeks should provide a useful indication of how international teams are developing as the calendar moves toward 2027.