The Indian men’s cricket team’s scheduled tour of Bangladesh in August is set to be postponed due to rising political tensions in the host nation. The tour, which was to feature three ODIs and three T20Is between August 17 and 31, will not proceed as planned.
The decision is being driven by growing security concerns in Bangladesh following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government. The resulting domestic unrest has sparked a significant diplomatic rift between India and Bangladesh, prompting cricketing authorities to reconsider the feasibility of the tour, News18 reported.
A joint statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is expected soon. While the communication is likely to refer to the development as a “postponement,” insiders suggest the tour will not take place in the near future.
The BCB has also temporarily halted its media rights tender process for the tour, which was originally scheduled to take place on July 7 (technical bids) and July 10 (financial bids). The rights were to cover Bangladesh’s home fixtures from July 2025 to June 2027. In light of recent developments, the board will instead proceed with separate rights sales for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan, scheduled from July 17 to 25.
Indian broadcasters have reportedly been informed of the tour’s postponement, with no official Invitation to Tender (ITT) issued so far.
From a cricketing perspective, the postponement delays the anticipated return of senior Indian players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are currently focusing only on ODIs. However, the two teams may still face off in the Asia Cup, set to be held in September, which remains on schedule for now.
The situation also draws attention to broader regional tensions. India has already severed bilateral cricketing ties with Pakistan due to longstanding political disputes, and head coach Gautam Gambhir recently suggested India should also consider avoiding Pakistan in multi-nation tournaments.
Despite this, India and Pakistan’s women’s teams are expected to meet in the 2025 Women’s World Cup, set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Political Unrest in Bangladesh
The political unrest in Bangladesh stems from the recent collapse of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, which had been in power for over a decade. The power vacuum has led to widespread protests, clashes between rival political factions, and increased instability across the country. Key institutions, including law enforcement and local administrations, are reportedly under pressure, raising concerns about public safety and the ability to secure large-scale events such as international sports fixtures. The turmoil has also strained diplomatic relations with neighboring countries, including India, prompting heightened caution around bilateral engagements.
