India Women's Tour Of England: ODI, T20I Full Schedule in 2025; Historic Test Match in 2026

Add as a preferred source on Google

London, Aug 22: The revered Lord's Cricket Ground, famously known as the 'Home of Cricket', is set to make history by hosting its first-ever Women's Test match between India and England in 2026.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) made this groundbreaking announcement on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of women's cricket.

This monumental occasion will be part of a broader tour that sees the Indian Women's team visiting England for a series of white-ball matches in 2025, followed by their return in 2026 for the landmark Test match. The 2025 tour will include a five-match T20 International (T20I) series, followed by a three-match One Day International (ODI) series, setting the stage for the historic Test at Lord's the following year.

"We can confirm that India Women will return in 2026 to take on England Women in the first-ever women's Test match at Lord's. It will be a truly special occasion, and one of real significance," said ECB CEO Richard Gould, expressing the Board's enthusiasm for this pioneering event.

ENG vs IND White-Ball Series Schedule 2025

T20I Series:
- June 28: 1st T20I at Nottingham
- July 1: 2nd T20I at Bristol
- July 4: 3rd T20I at The Oval
- July 9: 4th T20I at Old Trafford
- July 12: 5th T20I at Edgbaston

ODI Series:
- July 16: 1st ODI at Southampton
- July 19: 2nd ODI at Lord's
- July 22: 3rd ODI at Chester-le-Street

The ODI series will see the Indian Women returning to Lord's on July 19, 2025, for the second ODI, just a year before their historic Test match at the same venue. This will be a significant lead-up to the much-anticipated Test, as it will offer both teams a chance to familiarize themselves with the iconic ground in a high-stakes environment.

Significance of the 2026 Test Match

The 2026 Test at Lord's is not just a milestone for the Indian Women's team but also for the global cricketing community, as it symbolises the growing recognition and support for women's cricket.

Traditionally, Test matches have been a rarity in women's cricket, with the focus primarily on limited-overs formats. However, the inclusion of a Test match at such a historic venue is a testament to the strides women's cricket has made in recent years.

India and England have a rich history of competing in Test matches, dating back to June 1986. Over the years, they have faced off in nine Tests on English soil, with their last encounter in Bristol in June 2021 ending in a hard-fought draw. The upcoming Lord's Test will be a fresh chapter in this rivalry, offering both teams a chance to etch their names in history.

A New Era for Women's Cricket

The ECB's decision to host the first-ever Women's Test at Lord's reflects the growing importance of women's cricket on the global stage. England Women have played white-ball matches at Lord's in recent years, but the inclusion of a Test match marks a new era of inclusivity and recognition for women in the sport.

As the cricketing world looks forward to this historic match, the significance of this event extends beyond just the players and teams involved. It represents a broader movement towards equality and opportunity in sports, where women athletes are given the platform and recognition they deserve.

The Lord's Test in 2026 promises to be a memorable event, not just for the players and fans but for the entire cricketing fraternity, as it continues to push the boundaries and elevate the status of women's cricket worldwide.