BCCI Likely to Postpone Bangladesh Tour Amid Political Crisis
Due to political unrest in Bangladesh, the BCCI may postpone India's scheduled August tour, including three ODIs and three T20Is, sources suggest.
BCCI Likely to Postpone Bangladesh Tour in August Due to Political Unrest and Security Concerns
India’s much-anticipated men’s cricket tour of Bangladesh, originally scheduled between August 17 and 31, appears to be heading toward an indefinite postponement. As per sources close to the development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing to suspend the tour, citing serious political tensions and domestic unrest in Bangladesh.
The bilateral series, which was supposed to feature three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20 Internationals (T20Is), was an important part of the cricketing calendar for both nations. However, escalating political instability in Bangladesh — particularly following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government — has raised significant security concerns. The political turbulence has triggered one of the region’s biggest diplomatic crises in recent memory, straining ties between India and Bangladesh.
According to News18, the decision to postpone the series is expected to be made official through a joint statement from the BCCI and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). While it will be labeled a “postponement” rather than a cancellation, insiders believe the tour might not take place anytime soon.
In anticipation of this announcement, the BCB has already halted the process of selling the tour’s media rights. These rights were originally scheduled to be auctioned on July 7 (technical bidding) and July 10 (financial bidding). The media rights were meant to cover a two-year period from July 2025 to June 2027. However, with the India tour in jeopardy, the BCB has shifted focus to its upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan, scheduled from July 17 to 25. These matches will now be offered separately to broadcasters.
Indian broadcasters have reportedly been informed unofficially that the tour is unlikely to proceed, and no formal Invitation to Tender (ITT) has been issued for the India series. This further confirms the status of the tour being in limbo. Meanwhile, the BCB is still hopeful that the matches can be rescheduled for a later date, depending on regional developments and political stability.
From a purely cricketing perspective, this postponement also delays the return of senior Indian players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who currently only feature in ODI formats. Fans were looking forward to their comeback in this bilateral series, which would have marked their first outing since the conclusion of the T20 World Cup. Their return to action now depends on future fixtures and tournament participation.
There is still hope that India and Bangladesh will face each other in the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled for September. At present, the tournament appears to be on track, although regional political dynamics could still influence final decisions.
India’s strained cricketing relations with its neighbors are not new. The country has already cut off bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan due to long-standing diplomatic tensions. Even in multi-nation tournaments, there have been increasing calls — including from new head coach Gautam Gambhir — to avoid matches against Pakistan. Despite that, India and Pakistan’s women’s teams are slated to play each other during the 2025 World Cup, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Read more: Asia Cup 2025 Confirmed From September 5; India Vs Pakistan Set For Epic Clash On September 7
This recent development further highlights how closely intertwined sports and politics can be in South Asia. The BCCI’s cautious approach toward the Bangladesh tour illustrates its growing emphasis on player safety and the impact of regional geopolitics on international cricket.
As both boards continue to monitor the situation, cricket fans will have to wait for an official confirmation. For now, the India-Bangladesh series remains suspended, and all eyes are on the upcoming Asia Cup to offer some consolation to fans of the sport in the subcontinent.
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