Mumbai: Is India set to play Bangladesh in a white-ball bilateral series in September, marking the resumption of cricketing ties between the two neighboring nations?After almost a year of strained diplomatic and cricketing relations, ties between India and Bangladesh may finally be back on track, with prospects for a six-match white-ball series – including three ODIs and three T20Is – looking ever brighter. While the BCCI refused to comment on the matter, the latest development suggests that the ice may have finally been broken between the two countries and their cricket boards. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday launched a bid for the television and digital media rights for the proposed white-ball series.Addressing Indian broadcasters, the BCB has invited expressions of interest for its domestic international cricket rights for 2026 and 2027, specifically mentioning India’s tour of Bangladesh in 2026.Political tensions between the two countries led to the BCCI “postponing” the six-match white-ball series, citing a packed international schedule from August last year.The postponement was followed by a series of developments, including the withdrawal of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders team during the IPL, and Bangladesh later refusing to participate in the 2026 T20 World Cup, citing security concerns.However, a thaw appears to be developing in cricketing ties between the two nations. One indication was the BCCI’s refusal to entertain a request from Sri Lanka Cricket to schedule three additional T20Is during India’s tour of Sri Lanka later next month, after the two-Test series.The tender, published on BCB’s website, says: “The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) invites Expression of Interest (EOI) with financial offers from reputable TV broadcasters, Digital Platforms and Marketing Agencies/Consortia/Enterprises for the acquisition of World Media Rights of the following Bilateral International Series.”In particular, the confidential bid document mentions India’s proposed tour of Bangladesh, alongside the planned home series against the West Indies, England and Pakistan. The bidding process will officially begin on July 2, with July 22 set as the deadline.BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had recently told PTI that the Indian board was not concerned about the regime in Bangladesh and would instead follow the Indian government’s directive while taking a call to play a bilateral series against the neighboring nation.According to the itinerary released earlier by the BCB, the Indian team is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on August 28. The three ODIs are scheduled for September 1, 3 and 6, while the three T20Is will be played on September 9, 12 and 13.
