MUMBAI: Should India play Bangladesh in a white-ball series in September, signaling a rekindling of sporting ties between the two neighbours?After nearly a year of strained diplomatic and cricket ties, relations between India and Bangladesh could be on the mend, with prospects for a six-match white-ball affair – comprising three ODIs and three T20Is – looking very bright. When a BCCI refused to comment on the matter, recent developments suggest that the ice may be breaking between the two countries and their respective cricket boards. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday floated the license for television and digital broadcasting rights for the proposed white ball series.Speaking to Indian broadcasters, the BCB has called for clarifications regarding its international cricket rights for 2026 and 2027, including India’s tour of Bangladesh in 2026.The political tussle between the two countries led the BCCI to “delay” six matches of white football, based on the international calendar in August last year.The suspension was followed by several incidents, including the exclusion of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad for the IPL, and Bangladesh later refusing to participate in the 2026 T20 World Cup, citing security concerns.However, it seems that rain is growing in the cricketing relationship between the two countries. One sign was the BCCI’s refusal to accept a request from Sri Lanka Cricket to organize three more T20Is during India’s tour of Sri Lanka at the end of next month, after the two-Test series.The tender, published on the BCB website, reads: “Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) invites Expression of Interest (EOI) along with financial offers from prominent TV Broadcasters, Digital Platforms and Marketing Agencies / Consortiums / Firms to acquire the Media Rights for the Bilateral International Home Series.In particular, the confidential document mentions India’s proposed tour of Bangladesh, along with a list of scheduled home matches against the West Indies, England and Pakistan. The ordering process will begin on July 2, with July 22 set as the deadline.BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told PTI recently that the Indian federation is not concerned with the Bangladesh government and will instead follow the instructions of the Indian government while calling for the two matches against the neighboring country.As per BCB’s earlier release, the Indian team is expected to arrive in Dhaka on August 28. The three ODIs are scheduled for September 1, 3 and 6, while the three T20Is will be played on September 9, 12 and 13.
