India Tour of Bangladesh Postponed to 2026 After Squad Announcements

On July 15, 2025 the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) issued a joint statement saying the much‑anticipated India tour of Bangladesh has been postponed to September 2026. The decision comes after both boards had already unveiled 15‑member squads for three ODIs and three T20Is that were slated for August 2025 – a first‑ever bilateral T20I series on Bangladeshi soil.

Background: India‑Bangladesh Cricket Relations

India and Bangladesh have faced off in more than 80 international matches, but the history has been lopsided. India has won roughly 70% of the encounters, including a memorable 60‑run T20 win at Nassau County, New York on June 1, 2024. Bangladesh’s biggest moments have been occasional upsets, yet the hunger for a home T20I series against India grew after the 2018 triumph in Dubai where Bangladesh clinched a three‑wicket win.

The BCB’s April 12, 2025 press release touted the upcoming tour as a "historic first" for the nation, promising fans a chance to see their stars – like wicket‑keeper Litton Das – battle the world’s top side on familiar pitches.

Original Schedule and Squad Announcements

The original itinerary was tight: ODI #1 on August 17, ODI #2 on August 20 and ODI #3 on August 23, followed by T20I #1 on August 26, T20I #2 on August 29 and the finale on August 31. Both sides named 15‑player squads on April 10, 2025. India’s lineup featured captain Rohit Sharma, batting stalwart Virat Kohli, and all‑rounder Hardik Pandya. Bangladesh’s roster included senior bowler Mustafizur Rahman, spin ace Shakib Al Hasan (named as a reserve) and explosive batsman Shamim Hossain.

Statistically, the squads reflected a balance: each side advertised eight batsmen, four all‑rounders, and three specialist bowlers, with a single wicket‑keeper slot. The combined experience topped 200 international caps, promising a showcase of skill and strategy.

Reasons Behind the Postponement

The July 15 joint communiqué cited "overlapping international commitments and venue availability issues" as the core reasons. Both boards pointed to the crowded International Cricket Council (ICC) calendar, which includes the 2025 ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in November and the 2025 Asia Cup in September.

Cricket analyst Rajan Sharma explained, "India’s schedule is packed with tours to England, South Africa and the World Cup prep series. Bangladesh, on the other hand, needs the home window for the Dhaka Premier League and the upcoming ICC tournaments. Shifting the series to 2026 gives both camps breathing room and ensures the matches won’t be a perfunctory filler."

Venue logistics also played a part. The Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, the designated venue for the T20Is, was earmarked for the 2025 South Asian Games cricket event, creating a clash that the BCB could not reconcile.

Implications for Fans and the Upcoming Asia Cup

For Bangladeshi supporters, the postponement is a mixed bag. On one hand, they lose the chance to witness a home T20 showdown in August; on the other, the 2025 Asia Cup – slated for September 24 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium – offers an early glimpse of the two sides clashing under lights.

The Asia Cup match is set to be broadcast by Sony Sports Network across its television channels and streamed live on Sony Liv and FanCode. Ticket demand is already high, with early‑bird sales hitting 70% capacity within the first 48 hours.

From a commercial standpoint, the delayed series also means sponsors – like PepsiCo and Dream11 – will have to renegotiate activation timelines. The BCB’s financial officer, Ali Hossain, hinted that the shift could free up approximately $2.1 million in broadcast fees that were earmarked for the August window.

Looking Ahead: What 2026 Could Hold

When the series finally rolls into September 2026, both teams will have navigated two full ICC cycles, likely introducing new talent. India’s emerging pacer Arshdeep Singh is expected to cement a regular spot, while Bangladesh may lean on teenage prodigy Tanzim Hasan Sakib to bolster their pace attack.

Experts predict that the 2026 series could serve as a litmus test for both sides ahead of the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup. A competitive Bangladesh side would signal a narrowing gap, while India will be keen to iron out any batting frailties exposed during their 2025 tours of England and South Africa.

In the meantime, the cricketing calendar remains jam‑packed. The ICC has already announced the next two windows for the World Test Championship, meaning the postponed tour will have to coexist with a flurry of bilateral series across the sub‑continent.