The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has rejected reports that the opening ODI against Sri Lanka on December 13, 2026, could be relocated from Delhi to Ahmedabad, maintaining that no decision has been made to alter the scheduled venue.
The speculation emerged amid ongoing construction work at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, with Ahmedabad identified as a potential replacement despite already being assigned the series finale on December 19.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia addressed the speculation in an official statement on Monday, saying: “Reports suggesting that the India–Sri Lanka ODI match scheduled in Delhi may be shifted to Ahmedabad are not accurate. There has been no such decision by the BCCI. We request media colleagues to kindly refer to official BCCI communications for any updates regarding the schedule.”
BCCI reiterates its venue allocation policy
The clarification also addressed the process through which the BCCI distributes bilateral international fixtures among venues across India.
Saikia added: “Further, it needs to be reiterated that bilateral matches are primarily allotted by following a standard policy.”
The venue allocation process covers bilateral international fixtures, with Delhi, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad assigned the three ODIs against Sri Lanka under the existing schedule.
Delhi’s winter pollution concerns remain part of the backdrop
Apart from the reported construction work, Delhi has previously faced difficulties hosting international cricket during the winter months because of deteriorating air quality.
During Sri Lanka’s Test against India in Delhi in 2017, fast bowler Suranga Lakmal vomited on the field and was subsequently escorted off. The incident contributed to concerns about scheduling international fixtures in the capital during the October-to-December period.
Following those concerns, then BCCI Acting Secretary Amitabh Chaudhary told reporters in 2017 that the board would take the seasonal conditions into account when considering future matches in Delhi.
Air pollution also affected preparations during the 2023 ODI World Cup. Ahead of the Bangladesh–Sri Lanka match at Arun Jaitley Stadium, both teams cancelled training sessions, while some players who participated in optional practice wore protective face masks.
The earlier pollution-related incidents form part of Delhi’s history as an international cricket venue, but the latest relocation speculation arose from concerns about stadium construction rather than any reported air-quality decision.
India and Sri Lanka set for six white-ball matches
Sri Lanka’s tour of India is scheduled to run from December 13 to 27, featuring three One-Day Internationals followed by three T20 Internationals.
The ODI series will begin in Delhi before moving to Bengaluru on December 16 and Ahmedabad on December 19. The T20I leg will then take place in Rajkot, Cuttack and Pune.
The scheduled fixtures are:
| Date | Match | Venue |
| December 13 | First ODI | Delhi |
| December 16 | Second ODI | Bengaluru |
| December 19 | Third ODI | Ahmedabad |
| December 22 | First T20I | Rajkot |
| December 24 | Second T20I | Cuttack |
| December 27 | Third T20I | Pune |
India’s international commitments ahead of the Sri Lanka series include a white-ball assignment against the West Indies and a multi-format tour of New Zealand beginning later in October.
The BCCI has directed media organisations to rely on its official communications for any updates concerning the India–Sri Lanka series schedule.
