Following this, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has received a proposal from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to host a short white-ball series in August. This request comes in the wake of India’s planned Bangladesh tour being deferred.
Originally, India was set to play six white-ball matches in Bangladesh from August 17 to 31. However, the series has been pushed back to next year. Both the BCCI and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have cited international commitments and scheduling challenges as the reasons for the postponement.
As a result of the proposed series, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma—who currently only participate in ODIs and have retired from the other formats—could potentially return to international action next month, although the BCCI has not yet issued an official statement.
The six white-ball matches suggested by SLC—three ODIs and three T20Is—mirror India’s original August schedule in Bangladesh. The BCCI is still evaluating the proposal, with a significant part of its decision hinging on the upcoming Asia Cup.
“There is a request pending from SLC, but we haven’t made a decision yet. We need to consider the situation with the Asia Cup since everything is interconnected,” an informed source told Cricbuzz on the evening of July 9.
While the BCCI plans to consult with players and the coaching staff before making a final call, this does not necessarily mean the Asia Cup and the proposed Sri Lanka series cannot happen together.
Discussions involving the players, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar are expected to take place either before or after the ongoing Test match at Lord’s in London this week, where BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia is scheduled to be present. Following these talks, the BCCI is likely to announce its decision regarding Sri Lanka’s proposal.
Final Decision on Asia Cup Expected in 2–3 Days
A decision regarding the Asia Cup 2025 is anticipated within the next few days, largely depending on the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) stance on the tournament. This edition of the Asia Cup will feature intense rivals India and Pakistan, despite recent military tensions between the two countries.
As the official host, the BCCI holds the responsibility for the final call on the event. However, their decision will likely be influenced by guidance from the Indian government. The tournament is tentatively scheduled to take place from September 10 to 28, but further planning will only proceed once the government grants its formal approval.
