BCCI push for FTP gaps gets Dubai dates

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 6, 2026

The BCCI is pushing for a more strategically spaced Future Tours Programme from 2027 to 2031 to allow players sufficient rest and acclimatisation, especially for tours in South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia. This initiative, to be discussed at a global FTP workshop in Dubai, aims to address the crowded cricket calendar while balancing competitive and commercial commitments.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced plans to advocate for more strategic scheduling in the upcoming Future Tours Programme (FTP) to ensure players receive adequate rest and acclimatisation time, particularly when playing in South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia (SENA) countries.

A workshop focused on the FTP is set to take place in Dubai on September 22 and 23, with participation expected from operations teams representing cricket boards around the world. The BCCI will also be represented at the event, which will primarily focus on the scheduling of international matches for the 2027-31 cycle. Notably, representatives from the top eight Associate cricket nations have also been invited to attend.

Addressing concerns stemming from an increasingly congested cricket calendar, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia emphasized the need for adjustments ahead of the next FTP cycle. “The challenge we are facing is that there are too many matches in the year, and that is why, in the next FTP, we will do certain things and take certain measures,” Saikia said following a review of the Indian team’s recent performances.

The BCCI is advocating for an FTP schedule that balances the heavy international workload with designated periods for recovery and preparation. This includes recommending that teams have opportunities for friendly or warm-up matches before embarking on major series in conditions that typically require acclimatisation, such as those found in the SENA countries.

The scheduling exercise will require careful navigation due to existing bilateral commitments and International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments already planned. India’s upcoming commitments include hosting England for a five-Test series at the start of 2028, followed by a tour of Australia later that year. Reciprocal tours are expected, with India tentatively slated to visit England in 2029 and to host Australia in 2031.

The FTP workshop in Dubai is expected to provide a platform for cricket boards to negotiate adjustments aimed at managing player workload while preserving the commercial and competitive interests of the sport globally.

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