The BCCI is set to approach the Government of India for permission and clarity over the Indian team’s proposed tour of Bangladesh, with the two countries’ cricketing ties still carrying the fallout of a turbulent year.
A top BCCI source, speaking to India Today, said the board cannot take a decision on the tour on its own at this stage and will seek the government’s guidance.
“We are working on it and will seek permission and clarity as far as the Bangladesh tour is concerned. We can’t take any decision on our own at this stage. No decision has been taken yet, but we will soon approach the government,” the source said.
The source also confirmed that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has written to the BCCI and that the two boards remain in constant communication over the proposed series.
“The BCB has written to us and they are in constant touch with us. Soon there will be more clarity,” the source added.
The BCB has kept a window from August 29 to September 15 for the proposed white-ball series against India. The revised itinerary has three ODIs and three T20Is, with the ODIs scheduled for September 1, 3 and 6, followed by T20Is on September 9, 12 and 13. The Indian team is expected to arrive in Bangladesh on August 28.
However, the tour remains subject to the Government of India’s guidance and clearance.
The uncertainty comes against the backdrop of the deterioration in cricketing relations between the two countries earlier this year. The flashpoint came in January when Kolkata Knight Riders were instructed by the BCCI to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad.
Mustafizur had been bought by KKR for Rs 9.20 crore at the IPL auction in December 2025 and was the only Bangladesh player picked in that year’s auction. The BCCI subsequently directed KKR to release him, with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia saying the decision was taken amid the “recent developments” in the two countries.
The development triggered a strong reaction in Bangladesh. Within days, the BCB decided that its national team would not travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, citing security concerns and advice from the Bangladesh government. The board also asked the ICC to move Bangladesh’s matches out of India.
The fallout was not limited to international cricket. The Bangladesh government ordered an indefinite suspension of the broadcast and promotion of the IPL in the country following the Mustafizur controversy.
India had previously been scheduled to tour Bangladesh in August 2025 for three ODIs and three T20Is, but the series was deferred to September 2026. The BCCI and BCB officially cited international commitments and scheduling convenience for the postponement, although the move came amid wider diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
The revised series therefore became an important test for the cricketing relationship between the neighbours. The BCB has continued to push for the tour and has remained in contact with the BCCI, hoping that the series can go ahead and help restore normal cricketing ties. Bangladesh has also sought to use sports diplomacy to ease some of the tensions that have emerged over the past year.
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