India’s proposed white-ball tour of Bangladesh in 2026 has once again become a major talking point after fresh uncertainty emerged over the series. Questions were raised in recent weeks following delays in the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) media rights process. However, BCB officials remain confident that the tour will take place as planned despite the speculation.
The tour consists of three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20 Internationals (T20Is). It was originally scheduled for August 2025 but was later postponed to September 2026 after discussions between the BCB and the BCCI. Both boards agreed that rescheduling the series would help accommodate an already packed international calendar.
The latest doubts surfaced after the BCB delayed the release of the Expression of Interest (EoI) documents for television and digital broadcasting rights. The board clarified that the delay was purely a commercial decision and not linked to India’s participation. A BCB source told Cricbuzz, “We have not issued the EoI documents because there has been a slight change in plans. We are now assessing the market before inviting bids. It is not true that we are withholding the EoI documents because of the India series.”
Relations between the two cricket boards had come under the spotlight earlier this year. Bangladesh decided not to play its scheduled matches in India during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, citing security concerns and requesting the ICC to shift those games to co-host Sri Lanka. Around the same time, Kolkata Knight Riders released Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from his IPL contract, leading to further discussions about cricketing ties between the two nations.
No Change to India Tour Plans, Says BCB
Despite these developments, the BCB has maintained that the India series remains on track. The board recently invited broadcasters to bid for the media rights, with the tender process beginning on July 1 and expected to conclude on July 22. Although the EoI documents have not yet been released, BCB officials insist there is no reason to worry about the tour.
A senior BCB official dismissed reports suggesting the series could be cancelled. Speaking to RevSportz, the official said, “The board is quite optimistic that the Indian team’s scheduled tour will go ahead. We are taking a little more time to ensure we receive the best possible offers from interested broadcasters before releasing the EoI documents.” The statement has provided reassurance to fans eagerly waiting for the six-match series.
The BCB had earlier announced a provisional schedule, with the matches expected to be played between August 1 and August 13. However, those dates are now likely to change following the revised plans. The final fixtures and venues will only be confirmed after both the BCB and the BCCI formally approve the updated itinerary.
India Tour Discussed During ICC Conference
Discussions between the two cricket boards have continued in recent weeks. According to reports, officials from the BCB and the BCCI met during the ICC Annual Conference in Edinburgh, where the India tour was among the topics discussed. The ongoing communication is being viewed as a positive sign that both boards are working together to finalize the series.
If the tour goes ahead as expected, it will be India’s first white-ball assignment in Bangladesh since 2022. The six-match series will provide valuable preparation for both teams ahead of future ICC events and is expected to attract significant interest from broadcasters and fans across the cricketing world.
For now, the official position remains unchanged. While some logistical and commercial formalities are still being completed, the BCB remains confident that India will tour Bangladesh in September 2026. As one board official summed it up, “We remain optimistic, and discussions with the BCCI are continuing. Once everything is finalized, the revised schedule will be announced.”