The highly anticipated whiteball tour of Bangladesh in India, set to commemorate the revival of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, is likely to be delayed due to political issues. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have retired from Test and T20I cricket and are currently active only in ODI cricket.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are set to make a comeback to the national colours of the upcoming Bangladesh series, but they do not appear to be seen in action until October, when the Indian cricket team travels to Australia for three ODIs and five T20Is.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s returns have been delayed as India’s Bangladesh tour faces political obstacles
In fact, all Bangladeshi and Indian series have been set to be rescheduled, making it clear that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s return to Indian-colored action on the Australian tour. They last won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai, UAE, when they played for India in March.
Your daily cricket dosage!
Also Read: Not Shivam Dube!! Two CSK players have been selected for Sanju Samson Trade
India’s upcoming Bangladesh Whiteball Tour, originally scheduled for August, is said to have been pending permission from the Indian government due to recent political tensions and diplomatic uncertainty between the two countries.
The tour includes three ODIs and three T20Is, part of ICC’s Future Tours Program (FTP). The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed that the tour will not be cancelled as it is part of the ICC’s FTP, but it may be rescheduled until the day after it meets both boards.
Tours in Bangladesh, India may be rescheduled: BCB
The BCB has revealed that the Indian Cricket Committee (BCCI) has already suggested the possibility of postponing the tour of Bangladesh, India. However, there are no official updates for the new dates yet. This delay means fans may have to wait long to see Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli working for India.
BCB Media Committee Chairman Iftical Rahman said the AFP said “Cancellations are not an option as tours are part of the FTP, but they could be rescheduled at times of mutual convenience.”
However, while the BCCI has yet to make an official announcement regarding the Bangladesh tour, Indian media speculated that ongoing political tensions between the two countries are the main reason behind the delay in confirming the series.
Also Read: Obviously: Why are Indian and British players wearing black armbands in their second Test match?
Is the expulsion of Sheikh Hasina and Pakistan the link behind the delay?
The political unrest in Bangladesh, which led to the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, was one of the reasons behind the tensions.
It is also said that Bangladesh’s tilt towards Pakistan during the military attack on the Pahargam attack was seen as a major issue behind the delay.
And Bangladeshi Hindus are suffering from locals, which only made things worse. It is still unclear now whether the BCCI will obtain government permission.
In particular, India and Bangladesh performed their last bilateral series in India from September to October 2024. This included two test matches and two T20Is.
Currently, there are only a few weeks left before the original scheduled date, so BCCI and BCB are expected to meet and discuss new windows to keep the series.