SLC asks BCCI to send Indian team for six-white-ball games after BAN vs IND series got postponed - Reports

India were supposed to tour Bangladesh for 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is in August, but the tour has been deferred.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has received a proposal from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to host a brief white-ball series in August. This plea comes after India’s planned trip to Bangladesh was postponed.

India were initially set to play six white-ball matches in Bangladesh from August 17 to 31, but the series has been pushed to next year. Both the BCCI and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) cited international commitments and scheduling convenience as the reasons for the deferment.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who presently only play in ODIs and are retired from the other two formats, may return to action next month as a result of the planned series, even if the BCCI has not yet provided an official reaction.

The six white-ball matches that SLC has proposed—three ODIs and three T20Is—reflect India’s initial August schedule for Bangladesh. The BCCI is still considering its options, though. A lot will depend on its judgment about the Asia Cup.

“There is a request pending from the SLC, but we have not decided on it yet. We will have to see the situation with the Asia Cup. Everything is interlinked,” an informed source told Cricbuzz on Tuesday (July 9) evening.

Although the BCCI, appropriately, plans to confer with players and coaching staff before reaching a final decision, this does not imply that the Asia Cup and the proposed Sri Lanka series cannot coexist.

Discussions with players, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and top selector Ajit Agarkar are anticipated to occur before or after the ongoing Lord’s test in London this week, where BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia is scheduled to be. Following these deliberations, the BCCI is anticipated to announce its decision about SLC’s proposal.

Final decision on Asia Cup in 2-3 days

In the next few days, a decision on the Asia Cup 2025 is expected, mostly based on the BCCI’s position on the continental competition, which includes participation from bitter rivals Pakistan, with whom India recently had military issues.

Since the BCCI is the official host, it will be in charge of making the final decision, which will undoubtedly be impacted by advice from the Indian government. The tournament is tentatively set for September 10–28, but planning cannot move forward unless the Indian government has given its official approval.

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