The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has denied reports that the opening ODI between India and Sri Lanka in December has been moved from Delhi to Ahmedabad. BCCI honorary secretary Devajit Saikia clarified that the board has made no decision to change the venue.
India are scheduled to host Sri Lanka for three ODIs and three T20Is in December. The opening ODI is scheduled for December 13, with Delhi allotted the match under the BCCI’s standard venue rotation policy. Reports of a possible shift emerged amid plans to renovate the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
BCCI Clarifies Venue Status for Opening ODI
In a brief statement, Devajit Saikia said the reports about moving the match to Ahmedabad were inaccurate. He urged media outlets to rely on official BCCI announcements for any changes to the schedule and reiterated that bilateral matches are allotted according to a standard policy.
“Reports suggesting that the India–Sri Lanka ODI match scheduled in Delhi may be shifted to Ahmedabad are not accurate. There has been no such decision by the BCCI," Saikia said.
"We request media colleagues to kindly refer to official BCCI communications for any updates regarding the schedule. Further, it needs to be reiterated that bilateral matches are primarily allotted by following a standard policy."
Arun Jaitley Stadium Renovation to Affect Domestic Fixtures
The renovation project at the Arun Jaitley Stadium is expected to last around four months. The work includes relaying the pitches and outfield, along with installing an advanced drainage system designed to allow play to resume within 30 minutes of rainfall.
The upgrades aim to improve the stadium’s playing conditions and drainage facilities. However, the project could affect the venue’s availability during the renovation period. No official completion date has been announced, leaving uncertainty over whether the work will be completed before the scheduled ODI.
The renovation will also disrupt Delhi’s domestic cricket calendar. The team’s Ranji Trophy home matches against Gujarat, Services, and Maharashtra are among the fixtures expected to be affected. Several women’s and junior competitions scheduled at the venue will also face disruption.
India Look to Build on ODI Series Win Against West Indies
India recently won their three-match ODI series against the West Indies 2-1. The hosts won the first two matches by eight wickets before the visitors bounced back in the final game to secure a five-wicket victory.
India chased 296 runs in 41.4 overs in the opening ODI in Thiruvananthapuram. They then completed a 406-run chase in Guwahati, with Shubman Gill earning the Player of the Match award.
However, India could not defend their total of 351 in the third ODI, as West Indies captain Shai Hope scored 162 off 143 balls to guide his side to victory.
Sri Lanka last toured India for a bilateral white-ball series in 2023. India won that ODI series 3-0, with Virat Kohli finishing as the leading run-scorer with 283 runs in three innings, including an unbeaten 166 in the third ODI in Guwahati.
