India-Bangladesh Cricket Series in Jeopardy Amidst Diplomatic Row: Sources

The Indian cricket team's anticipated tour to Bangladesh for a white-ball series is facing uncertainty due to escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations. Sources indicate that the tour is likely to be called off.

Suryakumar Yadav in action. India's tour of Bangladesh is now uncertain. (Courtesy: PTI)

Key Highlights:

• The Indian team was scheduled to tour Bangladesh in August-September.
• The white-ball tour is now in doubt.
• Cancellation would disrupt both teams' preparations for the T20 World Cup.

The scheduled six-match series, comprising both ODIs and T20Is, is now in jeopardy. A highly placed source revealed to India Today that the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has been advised by the government to reconsider the tour due to the ongoing diplomatic issues.

The root of the tension lies in recent trade-related restrictions. On May 17th, the Indian government imposed import restrictions on several goods from Bangladesh, including ready-made garments and processed food items.

According to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), ready-made garment products would no longer be permitted entry into India through northeast-based integrated check posts (ICPs). This action is believed to be a reciprocal measure following similar restrictions previously implemented by Bangladesh in April.

"The political situation in Bangladesh is not stable, and in light of the diplomatic standoff, the Indian government has advised the BCCI not to go ahead with this tour," the source stated, requesting anonymity.

An official statement from the BCCI is still pending.

The Indian team was slated to play three ODIs and three T20Is against Bangladesh as part of their preparations for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup. The potential cancellation poses a setback for both teams. The Indian T20I team has not participated in any matches since their bilateral series against England in January-February, which they won 4-1.

Currently, the Indian cricket 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 scheduled to be their next assignment, commencing on August 17th.

The original schedule included three ODIs followed by three T20Is. After the Bangladesh tour, India is scheduled to host a home Test series against the West Indies in October.