For a series that once looked out of picture, the India tour of Bangladesh is slowly taking shape again. And this time, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has gone a step further to ensure it happens. Notwithstanding all the political tensions that have erupted between the two nations in recent times, BCB has kept a window and even has revealed dates for the India vs Bangladesh white-ball series.
In a massive scheduling call, Bangladesh have postponed their planned September 2026 tour of Ireland, effectively clearing the window to host India for a six-match white-ball series. Bangladesh have all the reasons to play India. It would boost them commercially and there are 2027 World Cup qualification stakes in play for them too.
India vs Bangladesh all but confirmed now?
The India-Bangladesh series was originally scheduled for 2025 but had to be pushed back due to diplomatic tensions and scheduling complications. After months of uncertainty, the tour was rescheduled for September 2026, with India set to arrive on August 28.
Now, the fixtures are more or less in place. Three ODIs will be played on September 1, 3 and 6, followed by three T20Is on September 9, 12 and 13. There’s also a three-match T20I series at home for India against Afghanistan in September. Moreover, a bigger price is on the cards in the form of the Asian Games (in Japan). The Asian Games will run from September 19 to October 4.
India vs Bangladesh 2026 Schedule
| Match Type | Match No. | Date |
|---|---|---|
| ODI | 1st ODI | September 1 |
| ODI | 2nd ODI | September 3 |
| ODI | 3rd ODI | September 6 |
| T20I | 1st T20I | September 9 |
| T20I | 2nd T20I | September 12 |
| T20I | 3rd T20I | September 13 |
To make room for this, BCB had to take a tough call. Their Ireland tour, which was pencilled in for the same window, has been deferred. According to board officials, Bangladesh had explored the possibility of rescheduling within 2026, but Cricket Ireland were unable to accommodate an alternative slot.
“When the India series was moved to September, we asked them if they could adjust the dates, but that wasn’t possible. So we decided to postpone the tour,” a BCB official confirmed to Cricbuzz about the update.
It’s a practical decision from Bangladesh. A home series against India brings far greater value, both in terms of revenue and preparation, than an away tour to Ireland.
ODI World Cup qualification adds urgency to BCB’s decision
There’s also a bigger prize for Bangladesh. After missing the T20 World Cup 2026 due to rejecting ICC’s demands, Bangladesh would not want to miss another ICC tournament. They are currently ninth in the ODI rankings with 79 points, just outside the automatic qualification spots for the 2027 World Cup.
To secure a direct entry, they need to finish in the top eight by March 31, 2027. Every ODI from here carries weight.
Hosting India for a three-match ODI series gives Bangladesh a high-profile opportunity to earn crucial ranking points. With limited bilateral windows available before the cut-off, they simply couldn’t afford to lose this series. That said, the situation isn’t entirely straightforward yet.
The tour still hinges on clearance from the Government of India, given the diplomatic backdrop that led to the original postponement. If that approval doesn’t come through, Bangladesh could find themselves in a tricky position, having already let go of the Ireland series and potentially left with fewer ODIs than planned. If the Government says yes, then you’ll see Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma enter Bangladesh for one final time perhaps!
India Cricket Schedule 2026
| Date | Team | Format | Venue | Home/Away | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 6-10, 2026 | Afghanistan | Test | Mullanpur | Home | 09:30 |
| June 14, 2026 | Afghanistan | ODI | Dharamshala | Home | 13:30 |
| June 17, 2026 | Afghanistan | ODI | Lucknow | Home | 13:30 |
| June 20, 2026 | Afghanistan | ODI | Chennai | Home | 13:30 |
| June 26, 2026 | Ireland | T20I | Belfast | Away | 19:30 |
| June 28, 2026 | Ireland | T20I | Belfast | Away | 19:30 |
| July 1, 2026 | England | T20I | Chester-le-Street | Away | 23:00 |
| July 4, 2026 | England | T20I | Manchester | Away | 19:00 |
| July 7, 2026 | England | T20I | Nottingham | Away | 23:00 |
| July 9, 2026 | England | T20I | Bristol | Away | 23:00 |
| July 11, 2026 | England | T20I | Southampton | Away | 23:00 |
| July 14, 2026 | England | ODI | Birmingham | Away | 17:30 |
| July 16, 2026 | England | ODI | Cardiff | Away | 17:30 |
| July 19, 2026 | England | ODI | London | Away | 15:30 |
| August | Sri Lanka | Test | TBA | Away | 09:30 |
| Sri Lanka | Test | TBA | Away | 09:30 | |
| September | Afghanistan | T20I | TBA | Away | TBA |
| Afghanistan | T20I | TBA | Away | TBA | |
| Afghanistan | T20I | TBA | Away | TBA | |
| September | India tour of Bangaldesh | 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is | Bangladesh | Away | |
| September-October | West Indies | ODI | TBA | Home | 13:30 |
| West Indies | ODI | TBA | Home | 13:30 | |
| West Indies | ODI | TBA | Home | 13:30 | |
| West Indies | T20I | TBA | Home | 19:00 | |
| West Indies | T20I | TBA | Home | 19:00 | |
| West Indies | T20I | TBA | Home | 19:00 | |
| West Indies | T20I | TBA | Home | 19:00 | |
| West Indies | T20I | TBA | Home | 19:00 | |
| October-November | New Zealand | Test | TBA | Away | TBA |
| New Zealand | Test | TBA | Away | TBA | |
| New Zealand | ODI | TBA | Away | TBA | |
| New Zealand | ODI | TBA | Away | TBA | |
| New Zealand | ODI | TBA | Away | TBA | |
| New Zealand | T20I | TBA | Away | TBA | |
| New Zealand | T20I | TBA | Away | TBA | |
| New Zealand | T20I | TBA | Away | TBA | |
| New Zealand | T20I | TBA | Away | TBA | |
| New Zealand | T20I | TBA | Away | TBA | |
| December | Sri Lanka | ODI | TBA | Home | 13:30 |
| Sri Lanka | ODI | TBA | Home | 13:30 | |
| Sri Lanka | ODI | TBA | Home | 13:30 | |
| Sri Lanka | T20I | TBA | Home | 19:00 | |
| Sri Lanka | T20I | TBA | Home | 19:00 | |
| Sri Lanka | T20I | TBA | Home | 19:00 |
Cricket
India vs Bangladesh series on? BCB makes room for 3 ODIs and T20Is in September by saying no to Ireland
