India-Bangladesh white-ball series called off with immediate effect: Reports

As per reports from Cricbuzz, India's upcoming tour to Bangladesh has been called off with immediate effect. The white-ball tour comprised a set of three ODIs and three T20Is, originally planned to commence on August 17. While an official statement on this matter is awaited, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have reportedly put their preparations for this series on hold. This development comes amidst Bangladesh's deteriorating bilateral ties with India. What's more worrisome is Bangladesh's growing inclination towards their arch-rival Pakistan, which alarms New Delhi.

Over the past decades, the diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Dhaka have worsened for a number of reasons. And ever since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's regime in August 2024, attacks against the Hindu minorities have skyrocketed to an unprecedented level. This development has angered the Indian public and has sparked calls for a boycott. While no side has made any comments yet, it is believed that the general consensus suggests that the government has advised the BCCI against proceeding with the tour. 

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Digging into this evolving story

The first obvious sign of the tour's cancellation or postponement became evident when BCB proposed to pause the sale of its media rights. The technical bidding was supposed to get underway on Monday (July 7), and the financial bidding was expected to follow suit on Thursday (July 10). But up until now, there has been no progress reported on this front. 

However, on the contrary, the BCB is now planning to sell the rights for the three-match T20I home series against Pakistan instead. The series is scheduled to take place from July 17 to 25.

According to an Indian broadcaster, the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for this series was originally scheduled to be available from June 15 to July 6. But reports suggest that it has been postponed until further notice. Furthermore, the broadcaster confirms that the BCB has instead issued the ITT for the upcoming Pakistan series. 

"They have informed us that there is no India series. After announcing the tender, they did not provide the ITT. They are selling, for now, only for the Pakistan series."

In addition, an unknown BCB official also dispels further doubts regarding the possibility of the tour being called off. In a startling revelation, the official reveals that the BCCI had already hinted that they were be unable to visit the country in August. 

"The date for the India series hasn't been fixed yet. They (the BCCI) said it's difficult for them to come in August. This is part of FTP."

Despite the BCCI's firm stance against the Bangladesh tour, a formal decision is expected within a week. It may not be a surprise if the BCCI and the BCB issue a joint statement at some stage on the status of the series.