India had a great campaign in the first edition of the World Test Championship. They reached the final after impressive performances, both at home and away. They beat the West Indies and Australia in the away series and remained undefeated in the three home series. 

The team will now get ready for another WTC cycle. This time, the task will be different and tougher as India will look forward to making it to a second WTC final, which will take place in 2023. Like the previous edition, every team will play six series, which includes three series at home and three away. 

India will play 19 Tests in WTC 2021-23, the second-most number of matches after England. This is what India’s Test schedule looks like for the next WTC cycle:

• Against England (Away): 5 Tests (Aug-Sep 2021) 

India start their WTC 2021-23 campaign with a tough tour of England. They will play five Test matches, starting from early August. This is the only 5-match series India will play in this WTC cycle. India’s previous record in England gives an edge to the hosts as the visitors have won only 4 of their last 21 Tests in England. 

• Against New Zealand (Home): 2 Tests (Nov 2021) 

India will clash with the current WTC champions New Zealand as they start their title defense in November 2021, just after the T20 World Cup. Playing India away won’t be an easy affair for New Zealand, considering the recent record of the hosts in home conditions. Team India will look to take revenge for the WTC final loss here.

• Against South Africa (Away): 3 Tests (Dec 21-Jan 22) 

India’s second toughest assignment in the next WTC cycle will be the 3-match series against South Africa. India have never won a series in South Africa, having come close the last few times. Both teams have a solid pace-attack and it will be an exciting series to watch this contest. Beating the Proteas in their conditions will not be an easy affair for Team India. 

• Against Sri Lanka (Home): 3 Tests (Mar 2022) 

In what seems to be the easiest of their opponents on paper, India will host Sri Lanka in a 3-match Test series in March 2022. India will play against Sri Lanka for the first time in the WTC, as they did not meet in the previous cycle. Given Sri Lanka’s current red-ball cricket form, India start as strong favorites against their neighbors and will look for a clean sweep in the series. 

• Against Australia (Home): 4 Tests (Oct-Nov 2022) 

The next edition of the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be played in the next home season of India. Given their recent encounters, it's going to be a thrilling series between the two sides. India will start as favorites in their home conditions. India have won the last 3 Test series against Australia, including the 2 historic ones in Australia. 

• Against Bangladesh (Away): 2 Tests (2023) 

India will finish up their WTC 2021-23 cycle with an away series against Bangladesh. The last time these two sides met, it was a one-way affair as India dominated thoroughly in their home conditions. With Bangladesh having a good spin attack and improving over time, it can be a tough series for the Asian giants. Nevertheless, India will look to win both games and stamp their way to another final in the new edition of the WTC.

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