The possibility of India touring Bangladesh for a white-ball series in 2026 continues to grow in the media as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) formally invited bids for the media rights of the proposed tour.
The development is of a positive nature to the cricketing union between the BCCI and BCB, after recent diplomatic tension had postponed the bilateral series.
BCB goes ahead with Media Rights process
On Wednesday, BCB issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) inviting television broadcasters, digital streaming platforms, marketing agencies and consortiums to bid for the worldwide media rights of Bangladesh's home international games in the 2026-27 season.
Among the main events included in the package is India’s proposed white-ball tour, with:
Three One-Day Internationals (ODIs)
Three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)
The rights package also covers Bangladesh’s home Test series against West Indies and England and a five-match ODI series against Pakistan.
The BCB has also offered financial offers from eligible broadcasters and digital platforms to cover the worldwide media rights of the forthcoming bilateral home series involving the Bangladesh men's national team.
Tour Was Deferred Earlier
India’s tour of Bangladesh had been planned earlier, but was postponed due to diplomatic problems between the two neighboring countries.
The situation was further complicated after the Mustafizur Rahman controversy ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, and even bilateral cricketing engagements at the moment.
Although relations between the two cricket boards are good in recent weeks, the tour is not yet taken in principle.
BCCI Awaits Government Clearance
While BCB is going ahead with its commercial planning, the BCCI has maintained that any decision regarding the tour is now with the Government of India.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said the cricket board does not make decisions based on political considerations.
"The BCCI is a cricket-controlling board, and we have nothing to do with what is going on politically in other countries. We will follow whatever policy the Government of India has about participation in bilateral and multinational sporting events," Saikia said.
His statement is clear that although BCB is preparing for the series, India's participation will depend on the Centre's approval.
Positive Sign for Bilateral Cricket
The opening of media rights bidding suggests that the BCB is optimistic about hosting one of world cricket’s most commercially valuable bilateral series.
If approved, the tour will mark the return of regular bilateral cricket between India and Bangladesh after some uncertainty and provide fans with six white-ball matches between the neighbouring rivals.
But until the Indian government gives its approval, the proposed tour is still under official approval.
