India's White-Ball Tour to Bangladesh Postponed to 2026
Postponement of India's Tour
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the postponement of the men's cricket team's white-ball tour to Bangladesh. Initially set for August 2025, the series will now take place in September 2026, as stated in a release on July 5.
Originally, the tour was planned to include three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). However, due to recent developments, the tour has been delayed by over a year. The BCCI has indicated that further details regarding the new schedule will be provided later.
BCCI's Official Statement
BCCI's statement read:
"The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have mutually agreed to defer the white-ball series, three ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals, between Bangladesh and India in August 2025 to September 2026."
It further added:
"This decision has been reached following discussions between the two Boards, taking into account the international cricketing commitments and scheduling convenience of both teams. The BCB looks forward to welcoming India in September 2026 for this eagerly anticipated series. Revised dates and fixtures for the tour will be announced in due course."
Diplomatic Issues Behind the Delay
Recent reports from the Bangladesh Cricket Board suggested that the tour was pending approval from the Indian government, a situation echoed by various media sources. The delay appears to stem from escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh.
These tensions escalated following significant public protests in Bangladesh, which led to a regime change from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. The political shifts in Dhaka have introduced uncertainty regarding cross-border events, including cricket tours.
Impact on Kohli and Rohit's ODI Return
This rescheduling means fans will have to wait longer to see Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma back in ODI cricket. Both players have already retired from T20Is and recently announced their retirement from Test cricket a few months ago. They were expected to participate in the 50-over format during the Bangladesh series.
Bangladesh last visited India in September-October 2024, which included two Test matches and two T20Is. That tour was conducted smoothly, but the current political climate has complicated the upcoming tour.