Indian cricket team likely to come Dhaka in Jan

The Indian cricket team may tour Bangladesh in the first week of January next year to play a long-awaited bilateral series, following positive developments in discussions between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The proposed tour features three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). According to BCB sources, the plan is to begin the series in the first week of January and complete it by the second week, keeping India's packed international schedule in mind.

BCB President Tamim Iqbal briefed members on the progress of the proposed series at the board's working committee meeting on October 28. Expressing optimism over the tour, he said the two boards were discussing a specific window and moving forward with a positive approach.

Officials from the two cricket boards reportedly reached an understanding in principle to organise the series during meetings of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC), as well as a recent virtual meeting.

However, government approval remains crucial given the broader bilateral relationship between the two countries. The BCB and government policymakers are closely monitoring the issue, while Tamim has been maintaining regular communication with State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque.

Aminul said the government wanted to keep sports beyond political tensions and believed an Indian team tour would help strengthen ties with neighbouring countries. He said discussions were underway to hold the series in January, although the dates had yet to be finalised.

The tour was previously postponed twice, in August last year and September this year, amid delays in securing diplomatic clearance. The two boards are now working to finalise a revised schedule without another postponement.

The series is considered significant for Bangladesh cricket in terms of both revenue and public interest. It could also help improve cricketing ties between the two countries ahead of major events, including the joint hosting of the 2031 ODI World Cup and the Women's Under-19 World Cup and Asia Cup scheduled for January-February.

The BCB has already started adjusting its domestic calendar to accommodate the proposed tour. It plans to complete the final of the domestic three-team tournament by December and focus entirely on the high-profile series from January 1.