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How Bangladesh's potential T20 World Cup venue shift from India could be blessing in disguise

Anurag Dasgupta

Why a potential T20 WC venue change would benefit Bangladesh [Source: AFP Photo] Why a potential T20 WC venue change would benefit Bangladesh [Source: AFP Photo]

After India and Pakistan’s strained relations, India and Bangladesh could be next, as political turmoil has created a rift between the two nations. In 2025, India was set to travel to Bangladesh for a white-ball tour, but the BCCI postponed the event to 2026 due to the unrest in the neighbouring nation.

On Friday, Bangladesh revealed its home schedule for the 2026 season, and the India tour was included in the schedule. However, on Saturday, India reportedly rejected travelling to Bangladesh due to the same reason, as the tour now hangs in jeopardy.

Bangladesh is set to travel to India for the T20 World Cup, and their fixtures could be affected as the Tigers will play three group stage matches in Kolkata and one game in Mumbai. The team could potentially face a hostile environment on Indian soil and as a result, they might be interested in a venue change (potentially playing in Sri Lanka), and that could work in their favour.

Here is why Bangladesh playing T20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka might benefit them in the tournament.

1) Familiar conditions with what they get in Bangladesh

  • In Bangladesh, the team gets slow and sluggish wickets that favour their spinners. High-scoring matches are a rare commodity when playing in Bangladesh, as the bowlers tend to dominate the proceedings. Similarly, in Sri Lanka, the pitches generally work towards the spin bowlers and as a result, the Tigers will enjoy playing in the Island Nation.
  • The R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground (Colombo), and the Pallekele Stadium (Kandy) will host the T20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka, and all the venues have the tendency to support spin bowlers and Bangladesh has a plethora of quality spin options in its arsenal.

2) No travel time for the Tigers

  • Bangladesh is playing three of their four group stage matches at the Eden Gardens, and then they have to travel to Mumbai to play their last fixture at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. However, if the ICC arranges all their games in Sri Lanka, they could potentially select one singular venue, and that would mean no travel time for them.
  • Out of the three Sri Lankan venues, the ICC can allot one to the Bangladesh side, and that would mean no stress of travelling from one place to another, as it hampers the team.

3) Psychological advantage after last series win

  • Before the Asia Cup 2025, Bangladesh travelled to Sri Lanka, and the team played 3 T20I matches, and interestingly, the Tigers decimated the hosts to capture the series. Just like last time around, the team will get familiar conditions, and psychologically, the team will feel better if the games shift in Sri Lanka.
  • Of all the big Test-playing nations, Bangladesh boasts their best T2OI record in Sri Lanka and they will be eager to continue the same statistics.

Final verdict

The Tigers are unlikely to play all their games in India due to the political unrest, and if their group stage matches are shifted to Sri Lanka, the Asian side will get an added benefit as the conditions mimic what they get in Bangladesh, and there is a good chance for them to qualify for the next round.