India’s 2025 Bangladesh Cricket Tour Likely to Be Cancelled Amid Political Tensions
India’s white-ball cricket tour of Bangladesh, originally scheduled for August 2025, may now be in jeopardy due to rising diplomatic strains between India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The six-match series—comprising three ODIs and three T20Is—was to be hosted across Dhaka and Chattogram, but the tense geopolitical climate is casting serious doubts over its feasibility.
The Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka was slated to host four matches, while Bir Sreshtho Stadium in Chattogram was set to host the remaining two, according to the itinerary released by the BCCI in an official post last month.
Tour in Limbo: No Final Call Yet
While the tour is still part of the official cricketing calendar, a recent report from the Times of India (May 2) highlights growing uncertainty over its execution.
“The tour is part of the calendar, but nothing is final yet. There is a bright possibility of India not touring Bangladesh for the ODIs and T20Is because of the current situation,"
— A source tracking the developments told TOI.
Political Controversy Escalates
Tensions spiked after retired Bangladesh Army Major General ALM Fazlur Rahman, known to have ties with the interim government, made provocative remarks on social media. He suggested that Bangladesh should occupy India’s northeastern states if India were to attack Pakistan. His statement even proposed a joint military arrangement with China, adding fuel to an already volatile scenario.
“If India attacks Pakistan, Bangladesh should occupy seven states of northeast India. In this regard, I think it is necessary to start a discussion on a joint military system with China,”
— Maj Gen (retired) ALM Fazlur Rahman on Facebook.
The post has attracted significant backlash and is being viewed as a major hurdle to diplomatic and sporting exchanges between the two nations.
Complete Cancellation Not Off the Table
While no official cancellation has been announced, insiders suggest that a complete boycott of the tour is very much a possibility, depending on how the geopolitical dynamics unfold in the coming months.
Asia Cup 2025 Also Under Threat
The ripple effects may not stop with the Bangladesh tour. The 2025 Asia Cup, scheduled to be hosted by India in September, could also face postponement or cancellation.
The same TOI report notes that government officials in India are adopting a hardline stance, especially regarding sporting engagements with neighbouring countries.
“The Indian government is talking very tough, and playing cricket with the neighbours could be unlikely in the near future,”
— The Times of India reported.
The Asia Cup was originally planned to follow India’s tour of Bangladesh, but given the current state of affairs, a disruption in the schedule seems increasingly probable.
Final Word Awaited
Cricket fans in the subcontinent are now left in limbo, as no official confirmation has been issued by the BCCI or Bangladesh Cricket Board regarding any changes. However, with regional politics taking center stage, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep sports and diplomacy separate.