India vs Bangladesh: Men in Blue unlikely to tour neighbours as series stands in limbo

The actively deteriorating political unrest in Bangladesh has now cast a shadow on the cricketing ties with neighboring India. The India vs Bangladesh white-ball series, originally scheduled to kick off in August, is now reported to be suspended. India's white-ball calendar for the season included a tour to the neighboring nation to play a six-match series. However, the domestic conditions within Bangladesh don't seem fit for India to head to the country. The safety concerns for the team, thus, have effectively led to the series being called off for the foreseeable future.

India vs Bangladesh white-ball series reportedly called off as neighbours grapple with domestic unrest

The India tour of Bangladesh was initially planned as a crucial preparatory series ahead of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. India was scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20Is. However, the series is all but canceled now. Bangladesh has suffered a turbulent fate in the recent past during which the Sheikh Hasina led government was tore down. While it's been over a year, the nation has not found its way back on the track. Moreover, the political relations between India and Bangladesh have been souring simulatneously. 

Th fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government ignited one of the most intense diplomatic rifts in South Asia in recent times. As ties between the two countries weaken, cricket has also started to feel the tremors. A joint statement from the BCCI and the Bangladesh Cricket Board is expected soon. While the formal communication is anticipated to frame the development as a “postponement,” the reality points to uncertainty rather than delay of the India vs Bangladesh series.

In response to the escalating situation, the BCB has halted the media rights sale for the India vs Bangladesh series, originally set to be conducted through technical and financial bidding on July 7 and July 10, respectively. Initially, the board intended to auction off rights for a two-year cycle spanning July 2025 to June 2027. However, with the India series in jeopardy, the BCB will now proceed with selling the broadcast rights for the three-match T20I series against Pakistan, scheduled from July 17 to 25, as a separate package before moving forward with other fixtures.

Indian broadcasters have reportedly been informed behind the scenes that the tour is unlikely to go ahead. Additionally, the official Invitation to Tender has yet to be circulated, a strong indicator that plans are in flux. While the BCB remains optimistic about rescheduling the series, a formal update from the BCCI is expected within the next week.

From a cricketing standpoint, the delay could mean a further wait to see veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma back in action, as both are now only active in the ODI format. That said, a clash between India and Bangladesh could still happen during the Asia Cup in September a tournament that, despite regional tensions, appears on track for now. The reports about upcoming ACC event have suggested that India vs Pakistan clash is almost a certainty.

India has already ceased bilateral cricket relations with Pakistan, primarily due to longstanding political and border-related hostilities. There have even been internal calls, most notably from new head coach Gautam Gambhir urging the BCCI to withdraw from facing Pakistan in multinational tournaments as well. Still, apart from the Asia Cup, the women’s teams of India and Pakistan are set to meet in the 2025 Women’s World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Currently, the Indian team is engaged in a five-match Test series in England, which is set to conclude in the first week of August. The Bangladesh tour was supposed to follow next, beginning on August 17. According to the initial itinerary, India was to play three ODIs followed by three T20Is. Post this tour, their schedule includes a home Test series against the West Indies in October.