NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — India’s white-ball cricket tour of Bangladesh, scheduled for August, has been effectively called off. Though there has been no official announcement from either board, sources say the series is now unlikely to happen due to rising diplomatic tensions between the two neighboring countries.
The series was supposed to include three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), set between August 17 and 31. However, recent developments suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) that touring next month will be “difficult.”
Preparations for the tour have come to a standstill. The BCB has paused all planning, while the BCCI awaits a final decision. A top BCCI official told Cricbuzz that “a decision is expected within a week,” and both boards may issue a joint statement soon to confirm the postponement.
Officials close to the situation say the Indian government has advised the BCCI against sending its national team to Bangladesh amid worsening political ties. This advice has played a major role in the current delay.
The postponed series also means a delayed return for senior Indian players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to international cricket. Both players retired from Test and T20I formats earlier this year and were set to make their first appearance in ODIs since then during this tour.
Fans anticipating their comeback will now have to wait longer. With no fresh dates announced, the wait could stretch until the Asia Cup, set to be held in the United Arab Emirates this September.
The canceled tour has disrupted more than just cricket schedules. The BCB had initially planned to launch a media rights tender from July 2025 to June 2027. However, with the India series now off the table, that process has been delayed.
“They have informed us that there is no India series. After announcing the tender, they did not provide the ITT,” said an Indian broadcaster familiar with the situation. The Invitation to Tender (ITT), originally set for release between June 15 and July 6, has now been deferred.
For now, the focus of Bangladesh’s cricket calendar has shifted to the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan, scheduled for July 17 to 25. Media rights for this series are being sold separately, according to reports.
The India-Bangladesh series was part of the ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP), which outlines international cricket fixtures. The sudden delay disrupts the planned schedule for both teams. With the BCCI citing August as unfeasible, new dates remain uncertain.
The situation also casts doubt on future bilateral ties between the two cricket boards. While India has remained open to participating in multi-nation tournaments like the Asia Cup, direct series with neighbors like Bangladesh and Pakistan continue to be affected by political issues.
This development is a setback for fans eager to see more action between two competitive South Asian teams. It also highlights how diplomatic affairs can influence even the most anticipated sporting events.
For now, cricket fans will shift their focus to the Asia Cup and the Pakistan series in Bangladesh. But the absence of an official announcement leaves room for speculation. Both boards are expected to clarify the situation soon.
As of now, the India tour of Bangladesh remains postponed, with no future dates confirmed. The coming weeks may bring more clarity, but for the moment, cricket diplomacy appears to have taken a back seat to political reality.
