The upcoming women’s white-ball tour of India, scheduled for December, has been postponed for an indefinite period, a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official confirmed to Telecom Asia on Saturday.
The BCB has received a formal communication from the BCCI informing them that the series will not take place as per the original plan.
Yes, we have received a letter where they have informed us that the series is not happening as per discussion.
It does not mean it is abandoned. This decision has been reached following discussions between the two boards, keeping in mind the international commitments and scheduling convenience of both teams.
Tour Was Set to Mark Start of New ICC ODI Cycle
As per the initial itinerary, the Bangladesh team was scheduled to depart on December 14 or 15. The visit held special significance as the ODI leg of the tour was supposed to mark the beginning of the new cycle of the ICC Women’s ODI Championship for both sides.
Mithu revealed that the players were particularly excited about this opportunity, as it would have been part of a crucial phase in the international calendar.
Player Workload and WPL Preparations
According to the BCB director, the BCCI’s decision may have been influenced by player workload concerns following India’s successful Women’s World Cup campaign.
I think their players need some rest after their World Cup campaign. Winning a World Cup takes a toll physically and mentally. They want to give their cricketers some rest ahead of the Women’s Premier League.
The Indian women’s team had a hectic season leading up to their maiden World Cup victory, and the board appears keen on managing player fatigue before the WPL.
A Delay, Not a Cancellation
Reiterating that the tour remains part of the Future Tours Programme (FTP), Mithu stated: “We can say the tour has been postponed and it will be rescheduled. It cannot be abandoned as it is part of the FTP.”
Interestingly, this is not the first instance of a bilateral series between the two countries being deferred. The Indian men’s white-ball tour of Bangladesh, originally scheduled for August 2025, was also postponed and is now set to take place in September 2026.
Geopolitics in the Background?
While neither board has officially cited political reasons behind the postponement of the two back-to-back series, regional geopolitical tensions are believed to be a possible underlying factor.
Relations between India and Bangladesh have seen strain in recent months, particularly following Bangladesh’s interim government demanding the return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India after being ousted during last year’s student-led movement.
However, both cricket boards have maintained that the decisions were taken purely on scheduling and logistical grounds.
Contrast With BCCI’s Earlier Official Statement
It is worth noting that when the men’s tour of Bangladesh was postponed earlier this year, the BCCI had released an official statement: “This decision has been reached following discussions between the two boards, taking into account the international cricketing commitments and scheduling convenience of both teams. The BCB looks forward to welcoming India in September 2026 for this eagerly anticipated series. Revised dates and fixtures for the tour will be announced in due course.”
As of now, the BCCI is yet to issue a similar official statement regarding the postponement of the women’s tour.
