NewsIndia

By Ishaan Kapoor — 9 August 2026 — 3 min read

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing to approach the Government of India to seek permission and clarity regarding the Indian team‘s proposed tour of Bangladesh. This comes as cricketing relations between the two nations have faced challenges.

A top BCCI source indicated that the board cannot independently decide on the tour at this stage and will require guidance from the government. The source confirmed that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has been in communication with the BCCI regarding the series.

Proposed Tour Details and Communication

The BCB has allocated a window for the proposed white-ball series against India, spanning from August 29 to September 15. The revised schedule includes three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).

The ODIs are planned for September 1, September 3, and September 6. Following these, the T20Is are scheduled for September 9, September 12, and September 13. The Indian team is expected to arrive in Bangladesh on August 28. However, the tour’s progression is contingent on clearance and guidance from the Government of India.

Recent Cricketing Relations

The discussions about the tour are taking place amidst a backdrop of altered cricketing relations earlier in the year. A significant point of contention arose in January when the BCCI instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad. Mustafizur had been acquired by KKR for INR 9.20 crore at the IPL auction in December 2025, being the only Bangladeshi player selected in that year’s auction.

Following this, the BCCI directed KKR to release him. This development led to a strong reaction in Bangladesh. Within days, the BCB decided that its national team would not participate in the 2026 T20 World Cup in India, citing security concerns and advice from the Bangladesh government. The board also requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh’s matches outside of India.

The impact extended beyond international cricket, as the Bangladesh government ordered an indefinite suspension of the broadcast and promotion of the IPL within the country after the Mustafizur controversy. Previously, India was scheduled to tour Bangladesh in August 2025 for three ODIs and three T20Is, but this series was postponed to September 2026. The BCCI and BCB officially attributed the postponement to international commitments and scheduling convenience.

Government-Level Discussions

Reports indicate that discussions regarding India’s proposed tour of Bangladesh are ongoing at a high level and are viewed positively. Sources suggest that there is a good possibility of the series taking place, with cricket potentially serving to normalise relations between the two countries. The decision ultimately rests with both governments.

Under the new Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, some changes have been observed, including India resuming the issuance of tourist visas to Bangladeshi nationals. Dinesh Trivedi, India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, has also been given a Cabinet rank.

The BCB has continued to advocate for the tour and has maintained contact with the BCCI, with hopes that the series will proceed and help restore regular cricketing ties. Bangladesh has also aimed to use sports diplomacy to alleviate some of the tensions that have emerged over the past year. The newly-elected BCB president, Tamim Iqbal, recently visited the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bangalore.

Source: indiatoday.in