The Indian women’s cricket team will have to wait longer for their first international outing since becoming ODI World Champions, with the BCCI postponing next month’s white-ball home series against Bangladesh. The decision comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
The series — comprising three ODIs and three T20Is — was part of the ICC Future Tours Programme and was scheduled to be held across Kolkata and Cuttack in December. It would have marked India’s celebratory return to action following their World Cup triumph earlier this month.
A senior BCCI official, speaking to PTI, confirmed that the board did not receive clearance to proceed with the matches.
“We will try to arrange an alternate series in December, but details are still being worked out. As far as the series against Bangladesh is concerned, we didn’t get a go-ahead for it,” the official said, without specifying the reasons behind the denial.
Diplomatic Turbulence in the Background
Though the BCCI has avoided an official political explanation, the postponement comes at a time of heightened diplomatic strain between India and Bangladesh.
Earlier this week, a tribunal court in Bangladesh sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death on charges of crimes against humanity. The verdict triggered violent unrest across the country and further strained Dhaka–New Delhi relations, especially after Bangladesh’s interim government demanded that India hand over Hasina, who fled the country and is currently residing in India.
The volatile situation has reportedly made bilateral sporting engagements difficult to schedule safely.
A Bangladesh Cricket Board representative confirmed receiving communication from India.
“We (BCB) have received a letter from the BCCI regarding the cancellation of the series, and now we are waiting to hear new dates or details,” the official told PTI.
This is the second major bilateral series to be affected this year — the BCCI had previously deferred the men’s white-ball tour to Bangladesh from August 2025 to September 2026 due to similar instability.
Indian Team Awaiting New Opponents
With the Bangladesh fixtures shelved, the Indian women’s team now awaits clarity on a possible replacement assignment in the same December window. The BCCI is exploring options but has not finalised any opponents yet.
After the short-term gap, players will rejoin their respective franchises for the upcoming edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), before assembling again for a marquee all-format tour of Australia.
For now, India’s world champions will have to wait to return to the field — and the eagerly anticipated homecoming series will remain on hold until diplomatic conditions improve.
Discussion about this post