Uncertainty continues to surround India’s scheduled six-match cricket tour of Bangladesh next month, with the Bangladesh side making efforts to keep the series on track.
The proposed tour consists of three ODIs and three T20Is. It was originally scheduled for August last year but was postponed amid a deterioration in political relations between Dhaka and New Delhi.
Bangladesh is now involving its diplomatic channels in an effort to resolve the issue.
Speaking on Monday night, Bangladesh’s sports adviser Aminul Haque said discussions between the two countries had raised hopes that the tour could still take place.
He said the Indian high commissioner had met with Bangladesh’s prime minister, while discussions had also taken place between officials of the two countries’ foreign ministries. According to Aminul, both sides remain hopeful that the complications surrounding the previous T20 World Cup can be resolved soon.
Aminul said the Bangladesh-India series could potentially be settled through ongoing discussions between the two foreign ministries.
Political tensions behind the uncertainty
Relations between Bangladesh and India have remained strained since the political upheaval in Bangladesh in 2024, which resulted in the removal of then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She subsequently travelled to India and has remained there.
The political tensions have also affected cricketing relations between the neighbouring countries.
In February, Bangladesh declined to send its team to India for the T20 World Cup, citing security concerns. The International Cricket Council later rejected Bangladesh’s request to have its scheduled matches moved to Sri Lanka, and Scotland subsequently took Bangladesh’s place in the tournament.
Aminul said resolving the World Cup-related dispute remains a priority.
“We want to resolve the complications surrounding the World Cup as quickly as possible,” he said, expressing hope that a solution would be reached soon.
Previous meetings between the teams
India last toured Bangladesh in 2022. The visitors won the two-Test series 2-0, although Bangladesh secured a 2-1 victory in the three-match ODI series.
Bangladesh then travelled to India in September and October 2024 for a tour featuring two Tests and three T20Is. India won the series in both formats.
The latest proposed tour is therefore important not only from a sporting perspective but also for the broader cricketing relationship between the two neighbouring countries. For now, its fate appears to depend largely on the outcome of ongoing diplomatic discussions.
