India's tour of Bangladesh in limbo as BCCI awaits green signal from Centre

India's upcoming limited-overs tour of Bangladesh in August 2025 is navigating through uncertain waters at the moment. The BCCI is yet to get the go-ahead from the government and the current political scenario makes this bilateral series unlikely at this point.

In May, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated, and subsequently, the relations between India and Bangladesh have been strained in recent times. It must be noted that India's participation for the Asia Cup was also deemed uncertain during those days. Even now, there is no official confirmation on whether the team will take part in the tournament, although there is optimism in the Asian Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, the political scenario in Bangladesh also continues to be volatile. On Friday (June 30), Bangladesh have started the murder trial of student activist Abu Sayeed whose death in 2024 sparked nationwide protests and the subsequent eviction of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League party.

According to the chargesheet filed by chief prosecutor Tajul Islam, Sayeed's murder was part of a systematic crackdown that was initiated by Sheikh Haseena and executed by the top brass of police.

Ever since the chargesheet has become public, Bangladesh has seen a surge in protests and the condition in the country is currently very fragile. In such a delicate situation, the possibility of this tour taking off seems low at this point. BCB boss Aminul Islam revealed that the Board has been having constant talks with the BCCI and hopes that there would be a fruiful end to the discussions.

Islam's expectation is for the tour to happen even if it means moving the dates from August to a new window in the future.

"We're having positive discussions with the BCCI," Aminul said in a chat with the media on Friday (June 30) after the Board meeting held at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka.

"It's not like (hosting India) in August or September, we are having discussions how we can do the series and if we cannot host it now we will do it at another possible time. They (BCCI) are waiting for some government clearance," he added.

India are slated to play three ODIs and as many T20Is with the games slated to be held in Dhaka and Chattogram across a two-week period. As per the current schedule, the tour is supposed to kick-off on August 17 with the ODI series.

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