Guwahati: The much-anticipated August cricket tour of Bangladesh by the Indian team is on the brink of cancellation, a move attributed to the prevailing situation in the neighbouring country. Sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have indicated that the Indian government has advised against the tour, citing an unfavourable environment. An official announcement regarding this significant development is expected soon, sending ripples of disappointment through cricket enthusiasts on both sides of the border.
The tour was originally slated to feature a three-match One Day International (ODI) series commencing August 17, followed by an equally anticipated three-match T20 International series from August 26. These matches were set to be a crucial part of the International Cricket Council’s Future Tours Programme (FTP). However, the BCCI’s decision, heavily influenced by governmental advice, casts a long shadow over the immediate future of bilateral cricket ties.
“India tour of Bangladesh is likely to be called off as the government has advised the BCCI not to go there as the situation is not okay there. The official announcement regarding this will be made soon,” a BCCI source conveyed to ANI, underscoring the gravity of the circumstances. This development follows India’s last successful outing to Bangladesh in 2024, where the visitors dominated, securing clean sweeps in both the three-match T20I series (3-0) and the two-match Test series (2-0).
The current diplomatic friction appears to stem from a series of events over the past few months. A key point of contention has been India’s strong condemnation of the demolition of a Durga temple in Dhaka, an incident that saw India explicitly criticise the role of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had previously stated, “We understand that extremists were clamouring for the demolition of the Durga temple in Khilkhet, Dhaka. The interim government, instead of providing security to the temple, projected the episode as illegal land use, allowing… and they allowed the destruction of the temple. This has resulted in damage to the deity before it was shifted. We are dismayed that such incidents continue to recur in Bangladesh. Let me underline that it is the responsibility of the interim government of Bangladesh to protect Hindus, their properties, and religious institutions.” This decision by Bangladeshi authorities has also drawn sharp criticism from several minority organisations.
Further exacerbating the diplomatic strain were controversial remarks made by Bangladesh’s interim chief advisor, Muhammad Yunus, in May. During a speech in China, Yunus had reportedly described India’s northeastern states as a “landlocked region with no access to the ocean.” This comment was perceived by Indian officials as undermining the region’s connectivity and status, sparking significant diplomatic friction. In response, India imposed restrictions on the entry of Bangladeshi ready-made garments (RMG) and other products through its northeastern land ports, including Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, and also Fulbari and Changrabandha in West Bengal. These restrictions have forced Bangladeshi exporters to reroute their consignments, including RMG, plastics, melamine, furniture, juices, carbonated drinks, bakery items, confectionery, and processed foods, via the much longer routes of Kolkata port in West Bengal or Nhava Sheva port in Maharashtra, significantly increasing their logistics costs.
While the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has expressed optimism about rescheduling the series, the immediate uncertainty highlights the broader implications of the current geopolitical climate on sporting events. The postponement not only impacts the cricketing calendar but also underscores the delicate balance of diplomatic relations in the subcontinent.
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