India's Bangladesh Tour Rescheduled to September 2026
Rescheduling of the Tour
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Saturday that India's planned white-ball tour of Bangladesh, originally set for August 2025, has been postponed to September 2026. This decision affects the series comprising three One-Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals due to scheduling conflicts.
Both the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the BCCI have mutually agreed to this delay. The BCCI stated that the decision was made after thorough discussions, considering the international commitments and scheduling priorities of both cricket boards.
Future Plans and Home Season
The BCB expressed its enthusiasm for hosting the Indian team in 2026 and mentioned that the finalized schedule would be determined as the series date approaches.
Looking ahead, India's home season next year promises to be eventful, starting with the T20 Asia Cup in October, followed by two Test matches against the West Indies. Additionally, the Indian team is set to tour Australia later that month for a series featuring three ODIs and five T20Is. The year will conclude with a high-profile home series against South Africa across all formats.
2024 Performance Overview
India's performance in 2024 was a mix of highs and lows across formats. The T20I squad excelled, clinching the T20 World Cup title in June and finishing the year with an impressive record of 22 wins out of 26 matches. Conversely, the ODI team had a quieter year, managing only one series, which resulted in a 2-1 loss to Sri Lanka. The Test team concluded the year with eight wins, six losses, and one draw from 15 matches.
Political Concerns in Bangladesh
Concerns regarding political instability in Bangladesh also played a role in the postponement of the tour. Reports indicated that the BCCI was hesitant to send the team amid ongoing unrest in the country, which has been experiencing political turmoil since last year, leading to the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government. Currently, Bangladesh is under an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, with no national elections scheduled until next year.
Given the unpredictable security situation, the BCCI reportedly opted to wait for a more stable government before proceeding with the tour.