Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Next India Tour a white-ball series against Bangladesh in August 2025 is likely to be rescheduled due to pending government clearance. The series includes three ODIs and three T20Is and could mark the duo’s first appearance post their T20I retirement. Political tensions have delayed final confirmation from Indian authorities.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Next India Tour in Doubt: Bangladesh Return Faces Delay
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s next international campaign Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Next India Tour is facing uncertainty as India’s scheduled white-ball tour of Bangladesh in August 2025 may be rescheduled. The reason? It still awaits final approval from the Indian government, amid growing diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Dhaka.
The tour, which is part of the International Cricket Council’s Future Tours Programme (FTP), is supposed to include three ODIs and three T20Is, starting from August 17 in Dhaka. However, on Wednesday, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Media Committee Chairman Iftikhar Rahman informed AFP that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had unofficially communicated that the tour might be delayed.
“The tour is part of the FTP, so cancellation is not an option,” said Rahman. “But it may be rescheduled to a mutually convenient time.” The BCCI has yet to make a formal comment on the matter.
According to multiple BCB sources and Indian media reports, the tour requires an official go-ahead from the Indian government. The delay is believed to be linked to recent political developments in Bangladesh, including the overthrow of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, which led to heightened diplomatic strain between the two neighboring nations.
Despite the political backdrop, both cricket boards are reportedly working to find a new slot in the packed calendar to ensure the series happens without disrupting the broader FTP commitments. Officials have emphasized that the series will go ahead it’s just a matter of “when” rather than “if.”
From a sporting point of view, the series has massive significance. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Next India Tour is being seen as a symbolic return for two of India’s biggest cricketing icons. Both players announced their retirement from T20 Internationals following India’s triumph in the 2025 T20 World Cup. The Bangladesh series would thus mark their first international appearance after stepping away from the shortest format.
Cricket fans across the globe are eagerly waiting for this high-voltage return. Kohli and Sharma, both ODI veterans, are expected to play a key role in shaping India’s preparations for the Champions Trophy 2025 and the next ODI World Cup.
India last hosted Bangladesh in September–October 2024 for a two-Test and two-T20I series. This return series in August was planned as a reciprocal tour and part of strengthening bilateral ties between the two cricket boards. But with political dynamics playing spoilsport, the timeline remains uncertain.
While the BCCI has remained tight-lipped on the specifics, it’s expected that once diplomatic clearance is secured, fresh dates for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Next India Tour will be jointly announced by both cricketing boards.
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FAQ
Q1. What is Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Next India Tour?
It refers to India’s upcoming white-ball series against Bangladesh, scheduled for August 2025, potentially their first assignment after retiring from T20Is.
Q2. Why is the tour likely to be rescheduled?
The tour awaits clearance from the Indian government due to recent political tensions between India and Bangladesh.
Q3. Is the series canceled?
No. As it is part of the ICC’s Future Tours Programme, cancellation is not an option. It may only be postponed to a later date.
Q4. When was the tour originally supposed to begin?
The tour was scheduled to start on August 17, 2025, in Dhaka.
Q5. What matches are included in the tour?
The series consists of three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20 Internationals (T20Is).
