Cloud hangs over India's scheduled tour of Bangladesh

The India tour of Bangladesh is effectively off. While no official announcement has been made, preparations for the short white-ball series scheduled for next month have been put on ice by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Understandably, the deteriorating diplomatic relations between the countries appear to be taking their toll.

The first clear sign of the tour's cancellation, or rather its postponement, came when the BCB paused the sale of its media rights. The technical bidding was originally slated for Monday (July 7), with the financial bidding to follow on Thursday (July 10). The BCB remains hopeful that the India series - an unfettered cash cow for any cricket board - can be rescheduled for a later date.

"We will continue, we will take time to research the market. There is no point in rushing things. We can give different contracts," a BCB official told Cricbuzz in Dhaka. Initially, the BCB had planned to sell the media rights for a two-year period, from July 2025 to June 2027. However, it is now aiming to sell the rights for the three-match T20I home series against Pakistan, scheduled from July 17 to 25, before moving on to the remaining matches in the current cycle.

"They have informed us that there is no India series. After announcing the tender, they did not provide the ITT. They are selling, for now, only for the Pakistan series," an Indian broadcaster told this website on Thursday. The ITT, or Invitation to Tender, was originally scheduled to be available from June 15 to July 6. However, the sale of the document - upon payment of USD 3,000 - has now been deferred.

"The date for the India series hasn't been fixed yet. They (the BCCI) said it's difficult for them to come in August. This is part of FTP," the BCB official said. While BCCI officials have remained non-committal about the series, a top official told this website that a decision is expected within a week. It may not be a surprise if the BCCI and the BCB issue a joint statement at some stage on the status of the series. India were to play three ODIs and three T20Is from August 17 to 31.

The mood in India, perceptibly, is not particularly favourable for a tour of Bangladesh, with relations between the two neighbours having been strained in recent times. While no official statement has been made by either side, it is believed that, in light of the diplomatic standoff, the government has advised the BCCI against proceeding with the tour. This impression has emerged from conversations with key stakeholders involved in the series.

Meanwhile, it was reported on Thursday that the Narendra Modi government has granted permission for the Pakistan hockey team to travel to India for the Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 29 to September 7.

The perception is that the government is opposed to bilateral engagements with the unfriendly neighbours - Pakistan and Bangladesh - but not necessarily to participation in multilateral tournaments. Does that imply the government will allow the Asia Cup cricket tournament in September? That, however, remains the million-dollar question.

The BCB initially offered the rights in three bouquets - 1. Satellite TV (Linear) Rights - Worldwide including Bangladesh Categories of Media Rights: 2. Digital OTT Right - Worldwide including Bangladesh 3. Direct-To-Home (DTH) Rights - Bangladesh only. Subsequently, it amended the tender to introduce a more flexible, territory-wise bidding structure, allowing bidders to opt for a "single global bundle (covering all rights and territories)" or "territory-wise rights (e.g., Bangladesh only, Rest of the World/Specific Region(s))."

Bangladesh are originally slotted to play 49 home internationals in the cycle concluding in May 2027, including eight Tests, (two each against Ireland, Pakistan, West Indies and England), 20 ODIs and 21 T20s. "We asked to sell the rights for only the Pakistan series. Then take your time. Because we don't have time. There is no time for the Pakistan series," the BCB official said.

Bangladesh's home engagements of the cycle

3 T20Is vs Pakistan from July 17-25

3 ODIs, 3 T20Is vs India from Aug 17 to 31

3 ODIs, 3 T20Is vs West Indies from Oct 15 to Nov 1

2 Tests, 3 T20Is vs Ireland from Nov 7 to Dec 3

2 Tests, 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is vs Pak from March 25 to April 29, 2026

3 ODIs, 3 T20Is vs New Zealand from May 6 to 24

3 ODIs, 3 T20Is vs Australia from June 2 to 19 2026

2 Tests vs West Indies from Oct 18 to Nov 10, 2026

2 Tests vs England in Feb 2027

5 ODIs vs Pakistan in May 2027

(With inputs from Atif Azam)