India's white-ball tour of Bangladesh virtually called off amid diplomatic tensions between neighbours: Report

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India were scheduled to play three ODIs and as many T20Is in Bangladesh after the conclusion of the ongoing five-Test series in England. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has reportedly put the sale of media rights on hold, indicating the possibility of the tour getting called off. read more
India had last faced Bangladesh during the group stage of the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai earlier this year. Reuters
India's upcoming white-ball tour of Bangladesh has virtually been called off due to strained diplomatic relations between the two nations. While the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is yet to make an official announcement on the tour getting called off or postponed, a report on Cricbuzz states that the board has put preparations for the tour on hold for now.
The report adds that the BCB paused its sale of media rights for India's upcoming visit, the technical bidding for which was scheduled for Monday, 7 July with financial bidding taking place three days later. The board, however, remains hopeful of the Men in Blue visiting their neighbours at a later date.
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'We will continue, we will take time to research the market. There is no point in rushing things. We can give different contracts,' a BCB official was quoted by the website as saying. 'The date for the India series hasn't been fixed yet. They (the BCCI) said it's difficult for them to come in August. This is part of FTP.'
Bangladesh planning to sell media rights only for Pakistan T20Is for now
The Bangladeshi board had initially planned to sell media rights for a two-year period until June 2027, but is now considering selling it only for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan that is scheduled to take place later this month, with the rights for the remainder of the cycle to be sold separately at a later date.
'They have informed us that there is no India series. After announcing the tender, they did not provide the ITT. They are selling, for now, only for the Pakistan series,' an Indian broadcaster told the website.
India were scheduled to play three ODIs and as many T20Is in Bangladesh after the conclusion of the ongoing five-Test series in Bangladesh. The ODI leg of the tour would have had superstars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli making their first international appearance since announcing their retirement from Test cricket in May.
India had last toured Bangladesh in December 2022, in which they lost the three-match ODI series 1-2 but won the Test leg 2-0.
Relations between the two neighbours have deteriorated since student protests in Bangladesh last year turned violent and eventually led to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasine and the Awami League government.
Nobel laureate and economist Muhammad Yunus has been the Chief Adviser of the interim government that has governed Bangladesh since 8 August last year.
Yunus' provocative comments on India, especially on the 'Chicken's Neck' corridor in the state of West Bengal that borders Bangladesh, along with similar statements from other top officials in the interim government have contributed to growing tensions between New Delhi and Dhaka.
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As have reports of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, especially the Hindu community that constitute nearly 8 per cent of the country's population.
It is understood that the Government of India will have advised the BCCI against sending the Indian team to Bangladesh under the current circumstances.