India and Sri Lanka Eye Exciting White-Ball Series Next Month
Potential Six-Match Series on the Horizon
In an unexpected turn of events in modern cricket, India and Sri Lanka may face off in a six-match white-ball series next month. Although this series is not part of the official Future Tours Programme (FTP), the coincidental availability of both teams has opened the door for bilateral matches.
Originally, India was scheduled to visit Bangladesh in August for a limited-overs series featuring three ODIs and three T20Is. However, due to political instability in Bangladesh, this tour has been postponed to September 2026, creating a gap in India's cricket calendar.
At the same time, the Lanka Premier League (LPL), which was set to take place in the July-August timeframe, has also been delayed. This has left Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) with an opportunity to organize international matches during this otherwise vacant period.
According to reports from a Sri Lankan news outlet, discussions are underway between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and SLC regarding a potential six-match series, comprising three ODIs and three T20Is. While nothing has been finalized yet, both boards seem keen to capitalize on this unique opportunity.
Sri Lanka's Ongoing Series
Currently, Sri Lanka is engaged in a home series against Bangladesh across all formats. They recently triumphed over Bangladesh in the ODI series with a score of 2-1 and are set to host a three-match T20I series starting July 10, concluding on July 16. Following this, their next international commitment will be a tour to Zimbabwe for a white-ball series in late August.
India's Upcoming Schedule
The Indian cricket team is currently involved in a five-Test series in England, which wraps up on August 4. With no international matches scheduled until the Asia Cup, this window presents a valuable opportunity for a short white-ball tour to Sri Lanka, should negotiations prove successful.
India and Sri Lanka have not clashed in a white-ball series since 2024. In their last encounter, Sri Lanka managed to surprise India in the ODIs, but India retaliated during the T20I series. If this series materializes, it would not only serve as essential match practice for both teams ahead of the Asia Cup but also fill a gap in the international cricket calendar with competitive games.