India’s opening ODI against Sri Lanka will remain in Delhi on December 13. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said, "Reports suggesting that the India–Sri Lanka ODI match scheduled in Delhi may be shifted to Ahmedabad are not accurate." The board confirmed the venue stays the same despite ongoing construction at the stadium.
India’s opening ODI against Sri Lanka will remain in Delhi on December 13, with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia on Monday dismissing reports that the match could be shifted to Ahmedabad because of ongoing construction work at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The clarification puts an end to speculation over a possible venue change ahead of Sri Lanka’s limited-overs tour of India.
Reports had suggested that Ahmedabad, which is scheduled to host the third and final ODI, could be considered as an alternative venue. However, the BCCI has maintained that no such decision has been taken, with Delhi continuing to be the designated venue for the series opener.
"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, as quoted by PTI.
"Further, it needs to be reiterated that bilateral matches are primarily allotted by following a standard policy," he added.
SRI LANKA SET FOR 2-WEEK INDIA TOUR
India and Sri Lanka are scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20 Internationals during the December tour. The ODI series will begin in Delhi on December 13, before moving to Bengaluru for the second match on December 16. Ahmedabad will host the third ODI on December 19.
The three-match T20I series will follow the ODIs, beginning in Rajkot on December 22. The second T20I is scheduled to be played in Cuttack on December 24, while Pune will host the series finale on December 27.
India are currently playing a five-match T20I series against the West Indies, with the final match scheduled for October 17 in Bengaluru. They will then tour New Zealand for a multi-format series later this month, featuring five T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are in Pakistan, where they have conceded an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series after losing the first two matches. The visitors will play the third and final T20I in Rawalpindi on October 13.