Credit: BCCI/BCB
After the Test series for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England which will likely be over on August 4 with the last day of 5th Test, the Indian cricket team are slated to face their Asian counterparts Bangladesh in a limited overs series, encompassing three ODIs and three T20Is next month. Post their retirement from T20Is last year and Test cricket this year, this series might give the fans a chance to witness Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in action together in the white-ball 50 overs format. Both the legends previously featured in ICC Champions Trophy in this year, where India won the title.
But cricket might take a toll due to the sour diplomatic relations. A report by Cricbuzz claims that India’s tour of Bangladesh is effectively off. While no official announcement has been made, there is a speculation that the preparations for the short white-ball series scheduled for next month have been put on ice by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The two nations are currently locked in a trade-related diplomatic standoff.
BCB halts the sale of media rights for upcoming Bangladesh matches
The report claims that the first clear sign of the tour’s cancellation, or rather its postponement, came when the BCB paused the sale of its media rights. The technical bidding was originally slated for July 7, with the financial bidding on July 10. Report also says that BCB remains hopeful that the India series - an unfettered cash cow for any cricket board - can be rescheduled for a later date. The BCB is now aiming to sell the rights for the three-match T20I home series against Pakistan, scheduled from July 17 to 25, before moving on to the remaining matches in the current cycle.
While no official statement has been made by either side, the report by Cricbuzz states that it is believed that, in light of diplomatic standoff, the government has advised the BCCI against proceeding with the tour. Meanwhile, it was reported on Thursday the Indian government has granted permission for the Pakistan hockey team to travel to India for the Asia Cup scheduled to be held in Rajgir, Bihar from August 29 to September 7.
The perception is that the government is opposed to bilateral engagements with unfriendly neighbours - Pakistan and Bangladesh - but not necessarily to participation in multilateral tournaments. Such a scenario casts the clouds of uncertainty over the engagement of the Indian cricket team with both its neighbours in the Asia Cup cricket tournament in September.
