India’s long-delayed white-ball tour of Bangladesh is moving closer to becoming a reality, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) working towards a September window that could reshape India’s international schedule. According to The Times of India, the proposed tour remains subject to approval from the Indian government, while a successful outcome would likely require India’s scheduled T20I series against Afghanistan to be pushed back.
How the proposed schedule could change
The discussions centre on staging the postponed white-ball series during the first half of September, creating space between India’s Test tour of Sri Lanka and its commitments later in the month.
Should the tour receive the necessary clearance, it would leave little room for Afghanistan’s planned three-match T20I series, making a rescheduling of those fixtures the most likely outcome. Preparations for the Afghanistan series are also understood to have been deferred while the possibility of the Bangladesh tour is explored.
The proposed revival would represent a significant step towards restoring bilateral cricketing ties between India and Bangladesh after last year’s scheduled series failed to take place amid diplomatic tensions.
Scheduling discussions continue between the two boards
Officials from the BCCI and BCB are understood to have discussed the proposed itinerary during the recent ICC meetings in London, with Bangladesh preparing multiple scheduling options in an effort to accommodate India’s availability.
A BCCI source told The Times of India: “BCB is also fine with the idea of holding all matches at one venue. They ideally prefer three T20Is at one venue and three ODIs in another. Dhaka and Chattogram are the leading venues. Playing just one format was a possibility too. The two boards held discussions on the sidelines of the recent ICC meet in London. India’s commitment to Afghanistan is a hurdle that was discussed. But the tour is subject to government approval.”
Bangladesh has also kept its international venues available from the beginning of September as it awaits a final decision on whether the series can proceed.
Afghanistan series remains part of the equation
As previously reported by cricexec, Afghanistan had been set to host India in a historic three-match T20I series in New Delhi before the Asian Games, although the fixtures have yet to be formally confirmed. Despite Afghanistan being the designated hosts, the matches are expected to be played in India, marking the first occasion on which India would officially be the visiting side while playing in its own country. That scheduling flexibility could now prove significant if the Bangladesh tour receives the necessary approval.
Any adjustment would allow India to accommodate the six-match white-ball series before turning its attention to later international commitments.
Government approval remains the deciding factor
While both cricket boards appear to be preparing for the possibility of the tour, the final decision rests on approval from the Indian government.
If clearance is granted, India’s postponed Bangladesh tour could return to the international calendar in September, with the Afghanistan T20I series expected to be rescheduled to accommodate the revised programme.
