New Delhi: The Indian cricket team is unlikely to travel to Bangladesh for its scheduled white-ball series in August, according to BCCI sources as quoted in various news reports. The tour, which includes three One Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals, was set to begin on August 17. However, diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh, along with emerging security concerns, have prompted the Indian government to advise the BCCI against proceeding with the series at this time, reported the India Today.
Sources claim that security concerns amid the domestic unrest in Bangladesh are the primary factor for the derailment. The fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, among other things, has triggered one of the biggest diplomatic stand-offs in the region. In fact, such developments have soured the relationship between the neighbours.
The Indian government has conveyed concerns about the “unstable situation” in Bangladesh, suggesting that the BCCI reconsider the tour. A BCCI source told ANI that “the situation is not ideal” and that “player safety is of utmost importance.” This comes against the backdrop of recent trade restrictions imposed by India, including on garments and processed food items, which have contributed to a diplomatic strain between the two countries.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), though not officially informed of any cancellation yet, is reportedly exploring the possibility of rescheduling the series. The BCB is still hoping for a resolution and has maintained that any final decision would be made in consultation with the BCCI, reported the Economic Times.
While there has been no official confirmation from either cricket board, multiple reports suggest that a postponement, rather than an outright cancellation, is on the table.
If the tour does get called off or deferred, it would mark a significant disruption in India’s cricket calendar, especially considering that the T20I series was expected to be India’s first in the format since their tour of England earlier this year.
