India build up to World T20 with plenty of matches

The BCCI has scheduled at least 11 Twenty20 internationals for India over the next ten months as they build up to the World T20 at home in March 2016. There is provision for more because the schedule released on Wednesday in Mumbai did not include the Asia T20s tournament, which is likely to be held just before the World T20.

India will play two T20Is in Zimbabwe in July, three during a home series against South Africa, three in Australia at the end of 2015, and three more at home against Sri Lanka in February next year.

The dates for South Africa's trip to India have also been brought forward. South Africa were originally scheduled to visit in October and November but they are now due to tour India at the end of September, which was the traditional window for the Champions League T20, and play four Tests, five ODIs and three T20Is.

The sudden spurt of T20 matches in India's schedule is a departure from previous trends. In the 12 months leading up to the 2014 World T20 in Bangladesh, where they were finalists, India had only played one match. And in the 14 months after that tournament India played only one T20 international, in England.

Though their win in the inaugural World T20 in 2007 triggered the start of the Indian Premier League, India's national team remains one of the least experienced in the format. They are eighth in terms of most matches played - 53.