The upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, finds itself under a unique spotlight as geopolitical tensions cast a shadow over cricket relations between India and Bangladesh. While a scheduled bilateral series has been put on hold, the International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament schedule for the Bangladeshi team in India remains firmly in place, confirmed by top officials.
Bilateral Series on Hold, World Cup Schedule Intact
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had earlier announced that the Indian team would tour Bangladesh for three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in the first week of September 2025. However, citing recent political developments, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to put this series on hold. The Indian board will now seek approval from the Indian government before making a final decision on proceeding with the tour.
This diplomatic ripple extended swiftly into the commercial heart of Indian cricket—the Indian Premier League (IPL). On the same day, the BCCI instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise to release Bangladeshi pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad. The left-arm pacer had been bought by KKR for a massive Rs 9.2 crore in the recent IPL auction. The franchise complied with the directive, issuing a statement confirming the player's release as per the regulator's instructions.
Amid this backdrop, questions arose about Bangladesh's participation in the T20 World Cup 2026, where all their group-stage matches are slated to be played in India. However, a senior BCCI official clarified to the Indian Express that there will be no issue regarding Bangladesh's World Cup matches. "As far as the T20I World Cup is concerned, Bangladesh will play as per the scheduled games in India," the official stated, drawing a clear line between bilateral engagements and multi-nation ICC events.
Bangladesh's Group C Fixtures and Venues
Bangladesh has been placed in Group C of the T20 World Cup 2026 alongside England, West Indies, Nepal, and Italy. Their campaign will be based primarily in Kolkata before moving to Mumbai for their final group match.
The team will play their first three matches at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Their tournament opener is against the West Indies on February 7, 2025, followed by a match against Italy on February 9. Their third fixture in Kolkata is a high-profile clash against England on February 14.
Bangladesh will then travel to Mumbai for their final group-stage encounter, where they will face Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium on February 17, 2025.
Detailed Match Schedule
Bangladesh vs West Indies
Date: February 7, 2025
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Time: 3:00 PM IST
Bangladesh vs Italy
Date: February 9, 2025
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Time: 11:00 AM IST
Bangladesh vs England
Date: February 14, 2025
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Time: 3:00 PM IST
Bangladesh vs Nepal
Date: February 17, 2025
Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Implications and the Road Ahead
The current situation underscores the complex interplay between sports, politics, and diplomacy. The suspension of the bilateral series and the release of Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL highlight immediate repercussions. However, the confirmation of the World Cup schedule indicates that ICC events operate under a different, more insulated protocol.
For fans and players, the focus now shifts to the T20 World Cup 2026 preparations. Bangladesh will hope to navigate a competitive Group C and progress to the knockout stages, with their path taking them through two of India's most famous cricket grounds. The eyes of the cricket world will be on these matches, not just for the sporting contest, but also as a testament to the sport's ability to navigate choppy diplomatic waters on the global stage.
