India's schedule for the month of September may see changes. The postponed tour of Bangladesh may take place in September, ahead of the Asian Games 2026. It may lead to the T20I series against Afghanistan in Delhi getting postponed.
As per a report by TOI, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are in talks for the white-ball series on Bangladesh soil. However, the boards are awaiting the green signal from the Indian government.
Last year, India had postponed their tour of Bangladesh which was set to feature three ODIs and as many T20Is. With Mustafizur Rahman getting dropped from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 leading to Bangladesh's withdrawal from T20 World Cup 2026.
If the Bangladesh tour gets the nod, the T20I series which was set to be hosted by Afghanistan in Delhi may get rescheduled. However, no official announcement for the Afghanistan T20I series was made.
“BCB is also fine with the idea of holding all matches at one venue. They ideally prefer three T20Is at one venue and three ODIs in another. Dhaka and Chattogram are the leading venues. Playing just one format was a possibility too. The two boards held discussions on the sidelines of the recent ICC meet in London. India’s commitment to Afghanistan is a hurdle that was discussed. But the tour is subject to government approval,” a BCCI source told the English daily.
Bangladesh eager to play vs India
The BCB chairman Tamim Iqbal, captains across formats — Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto — and other players have already said that they were willing to play the T20 World Cup 2026 but politics led to their withdrawal. Eventually, they were replaced by Scotland at the mega event on Indian soil.
India, Bangladesh’s window for white-ball series
The report further says that the BCB has given direction to keep their international venues free, starting September 1. India's Test series against Sri Lanka ends on August 27 which will feature a few T20I players. If the Afghanistan series can be postponed, it will clear the way for a two-week window for the white-ball series against Afghanistan.
It will be the perfect time for Bangladesh as well. Their historic Test series of Australia ends on August 26. They don't make international cricket till The Asian Games 2026. Officially, their next bilateral series is on South Africa soil, starting on November 15 which features two Tests, three ODIs and as many T20Is.