India vs Bangladesh Series 2025 Called Off

India's much-anticipated cricket tour of Bangladesh, which was set to take place in August, has been suspended indefinitely. The series, scheduled between August 17 and 31, included three ODIs and three T20Is and was seen as a crucial build-up for the 2026 T20 World Cup. However, the Indian team is now unlikely to travel to Bangladesh following advice from the Indian government.

The situation between the two countries has taken a diplomatic turn for the worse. Trade-related tensions have escalated significantly in recent months, with security concerns arising from political unrest in Bangladesh adding further complications. According to insiders, the current volatility following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government has made it unfeasible for India to commit to the tour. 

On May 17, India imposed new restrictions on imports from Bangladesh, including a ban on ready-made garments and processed foods through northeastern trade routes. This was reportedly a response to Bangladesh’s own set of import restrictions introduced in April. These tit-for-tat measures have added to the already strained relationship between the two neighbors and seem to have played a major role in putting the cricket tour on hold. 

An official statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is still awaited, but the language used will likely describe the situation as a “postponement” rather than a full cancellation. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), meanwhile, has paused its plans to sell media rights for the series, which were set to be auctioned off in early July. Originally, the BCB aimed to offer a two-year media rights package spanning from July 2025 to June 2027. Now, that plan is on the back burner. 

In the short term, the BCB will shift its focus to a three-match T20I series against Pakistan, scheduled for later in July. Those media rights will be sold independently before the board re-evaluates its options for future tours, including a potential rescheduling of the India series. Indian broadcasters have reportedly been informed that the tour will not happen as planned, and no Invitation To Tender (ITT) has been issued either—another sign that the tour is effectively off the table for now. While both cricket boards remain hopeful of finding a new window, the timing is uncertain given the broader geopolitical climate. 

From a cricketing perspective, this development is a setback for both sides. India’s T20I squad hasn’t played a match since their 4-1 series win over England earlier this year, and the Bangladesh tour was expected to provide valuable match practice ahead of the T20 World Cup. It also delays the possible return of senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who now feature only in ODIs. 

However, all is not lost in terms of India-Bangladesh matchups. The two teams are still likely to meet in the Asia Cup in September, which, as of now, is expected to proceed as scheduled. India’s current focus remains on the ongoing five-match Test series in England, which wraps up in early August. The now-shelved Bangladesh tour was supposed to follow immediately after. Once back home, India will next host the West Indies for a Test series in October. 

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