Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma’s ODI Return Delayed? India Tour Of Bangladesh Unlikely To Happen Due To THIS Reason | Cricket News
India’s much-anticipated white-ball tour of Bangladesh — set to feature the high-profile return of ODI specialists Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli — is on the verge of being postponed due to escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations. While no official word has emerged from the BCCI or BCB, behind-the-scenes developments and stalled logistical processes strongly indicate that the series is unlikely to proceed as planned. The tour, part of the ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP), was scheduled to run from August 17 to 31, featuring three ODIs and three T20Is in Dhaka. However, recent signals from both cricket boards and the Indian government suggest that political sensitivities may force a reshuffle of dates — if not a complete deferral.
Media Rights Delay Hints at Bigger Issues
A major red flag was raised when the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) abruptly paused its media rights tender process, which was expected to attract aggressive bids due to the India series. The initial plan was to auction rights for the 2025–2027 cycle, with packages for satellite TV, OTT, and DTH platforms. However, the delay in issuing the Invitation to Tender (ITT) has led broadcasters to assume that the India leg is off the table — at least for now.
“They have informed us that there is no India series. After announcing the tender, they did not provide the ITT,” an Indian broadcaster told Cricbuzz, confirming the growing uncertainty.
In a revised plan, BCB is now selling rights only for the Pakistan T20I series (July 17–25), further fueling speculation that the India tour is unofficially shelved.
Political Climate Freezes Cricketing Ties
Sources within the BCCI suggest that the Indian government has advised caution in sending the national team across the border amid ongoing diplomatic discomfort. This unofficial advisory could explain the BCCI’s hesitance in finalizing the tour schedule.
Interestingly, while the Indian government has denied Bangladesh a bilateral window, it has approved Pakistan’s hockey team participation in the Asia Cup in Bihar, reflecting a selective approach to cross-border sporting engagements. This underscores how political headwinds can drastically impact sporting diplomacy — even for fixtures that are part of official international calendars.
Rohit-Virat Comeback Put on Hold
For Indian cricket fans, the delay is doubly disappointing. The tour was expected to mark the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli — both of whom have retired from Tests and T20Is, now focusing solely on ODIs. Their last appearance came during India’s Champions Trophy 2025 triumph in Dubai, and the Bangladesh tour was set to be their first outing since that high.
However, with the series now in limbo, their return is more likely to happen during the Australia tour in October, which includes three ODIs and five T20Is. The first ODI in Perth on October 19 could now become their official comeback fixture.
Series Not Cancelled — Just Delayed?
Despite the bleak outlook, BCB media committee chairman Iftikhar Rahman has stated that the series “will not be cancelled” since it’s part of the ICC’s FTP. He added, “The tour is part of the FTP, so cancellation is not an option. However, it may be rescheduled to a mutually convenient time.”
This suggests that while the August window is likely to be missed, there remains hope of staging the series later in the year — should the political landscape improve.
Impact on Commercial and Cricketing Stakes
This unexpected delay is more than just a scheduling inconvenience — it affects broadcasters, sponsors, and player workloads leading into a packed global calendar. With the ODI World Cup 2027 on the horizon, every match counts in India’s strategic planning. Rohit and Kohli, both central to India’s 50-over plans, will now have limited game time before key assignments begin.
For fans, the wait continues. For the BCCI and BCB, the clock is ticking.
