Why Bangladesh is planning for India’s tour despite BCCI silence

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has taken a major step toward hosting India’s tour of Bangladesh later this year. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not officially confirmed the tour, the BCB has started the process of selling broadcast rights for the six-match series.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has invited bids for the media rights covering three ODIs and three T20Is. Interested television and digital broadcasters can collect the tender documents from July 2, 2026, while the deadline for submitting bids is July 22, 2026, at the BCB headquarters in Dhaka.

Bangladesh Cricket Board Invites Expression of Interest

The BCB has opened the bidding process for the worldwide media rights of its upcoming home international series, including the proposed white-ball series against India. Notably, the board is moving ahead with its plans despite the BCCI not making an official announcement.

In the tender document, the BCB invited television broadcasters, digital platforms, and marketing agencies to submit financial bids for the media rights of its home series scheduled in 2026 and 2027.

“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) invites Expression of Interest (EOI) along with financial offers from reputable TV Broadcasters, Digital Platforms and Marketing Agencies / Consortiums / Firms for acquiring the Worldwide Media Rights of the following Bilateral International Home Series.”

It reads, “The series covered under the EoI are:

01. India Team’s Tour of Bangladesh 2026 (03 ODI and 03 T20I)

02. West Indies Team’s Tour of Bangladesh 2026 (02 Test)

03. England Team’s Tour of Bangladesh 2027 (02 Test)

04. Pakistan Team’s Tour of Bangladesh 2027 (05 ODI).”

Hard Copy Submissions Must Be Delivered – BCB Sets Bid Submission Guidelines

The BCB has issued detailed guidelines for companies interested in acquiring the media rights. The board said bids must follow the prescribed format and be submitted either in person or electronically before the deadline.

“Hard copy submissions must be delivered to the BCB Management Office at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur-2, Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh by 22nd of July 2026 during office hours (between BST 10:00 to BST 17:00). The submission must be placed in a sealed envelope to be addressed to: Chief Executive Officer, Bangladesh Cricket Board. Interested participant(s) may also submit EOI along with Financial Proposal electronically via email at sponsorship.rights@bcb-cricket.com.”

The BCCI Would Be Guided by the Advice of the Government of India

Despite the BCB moving ahead with the media rights process, the tour has not yet received final confirmation from the BCCI. The six-match series was originally scheduled for last year but was postponed because of diplomatic issues between the two countries.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia recently said that the Indian board’s decision would depend on the advice of the Government of India rather than developments within the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

“The BCCI was not concerned with the regime at the BCB and would be guided by the advice of the Government of India.”

If approved, the series would mark India’s first white-ball tour of Bangladesh since 2022-23. On that tour, Bangladesh won the ODI series 2-1, while India bounced back to win the Test series 2-0.

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