ICC suggests India venues for Bangladesh T20 World Cup: The ongoing controversy surrounding Bangladesh’s participation in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has taken a new turn, with fresh discussions emerging at the highest level of international cricket administration. As tensions continue between cricket boards and governments, ICC suggests India venues for Bangladesh T20 World Cup matches as a middle-ground solution to prevent disruption to the global event.
With the tournament scheduled to begin in February 2026 and India and Sri Lanka named as co-hosts, the issue has quickly escalated into one of the most talked-about cricketing disputes ahead of the World Cup.
How the Bangladesh T20 World Cup Row Began
The controversy erupted after diplomatic tensions flared between India and Bangladesh, leading the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to formally raise concerns about player safety and national sentiment. The situation worsened following developments linked to IPL-related decisions involving Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, which triggered political reactions back home.
Bangladesh was originally scheduled to play all its group-stage matches in India, including high-profile games in Kolkata and Mumbai. However, the BCB soon wrote to the ICC requesting that their matches be shifted entirely outside India, preferably to Sri Lanka, citing security and dignity concerns.
This unexpected request placed the ICC in a difficult position, as schedules, broadcast contracts, ticket sales, and logistics were already in advanced stages.
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ICC’s Stand: No Foreign Shift, But Venue Adjustment
After reviewing the request, the ICC made it clear that shifting Bangladesh’s matches to another country would not be feasible at this stage. Instead, ICC suggests India venues for Bangladesh T20 World Cup fixtures as a compromise that could ease concerns while keeping the tournament structure intact.
According to reports from trusted sources, the ICC is considering alternative Indian cities that are already part of the World Cup ecosystem but were not initially assigned Bangladesh matches. The goal is to reduce political sensitivity while ensuring the tournament proceeds smoothly.
Two Indian Venues Under Consideration
As part of this revised plan, ICC suggests India venues for Bangladesh T20 World Cup games to be played at:
- Chennai (MA Chidambaram Stadium):
A historic venue with strong infrastructure, security readiness, and experience hosting major ICC events. Chennai is already set to host multiple World Cup matches and can absorb additional fixtures without logistical strain. - Thiruvananthapuram (Greenfield International Stadium):
A modern venue with international exposure, known for smooth crowd management and high security standards. The city has successfully hosted international matches in recent years and is considered politically neutral.
These venues are seen as practical alternatives to Kolkata and Mumbai, which were part of Bangladesh’s original schedule.
Bangladesh’s Response: Still Not Fully Convinced
Despite the proposal, Bangladesh officials have indicated that merely changing cities within India does not fully address their concerns. BCB representatives have stated that playing anywhere in India remains a sensitive issue under the current circumstances.
Senior officials reiterated that the board is awaiting a formal written response from the ICC and will consult the Bangladesh government before taking a final call. Reports suggest that Bangladesh is still pushing for a complete relocation of its matches outside India, though time is rapidly running out.
This has further fueled headlines as ICC suggests India venues for Bangladesh T20 World Cup continue to dominate cricket news cycles.
Original Schedule: What Changes Could Mean
Under the original World Cup plan:
- Bangladesh was to play three group matches in Kolkata
- One match was scheduled in Mumbai
A shift to Chennai or Thiruvananthapuram would require adjustments in team travel, fan ticketing, and local arrangements, but ICC officials believe these changes are manageable compared to moving matches out of the country entirely.
Cricket analysts note that such venue swaps are rare but not unprecedented in ICC tournaments, especially when geopolitical issues arise.
Reactions from the Cricketing World
The development that ICC suggests India venues for Bangladesh T20 World Cup has triggered mixed reactions:
- Former cricketers have urged all parties to prioritize the sport and player safety.
- Fans across South Asia are divided, with some supporting Bangladesh’s stance and others backing the ICC’s decision to protect tournament integrity.
- Social media platforms are flooded with debates, with hashtags related to the Bangladesh World Cup row trending regularly.
Meanwhile, other cricket boards are closely monitoring the situation, as the final decision could set a precedent for future ICC events.
What Happens Next?
With less than a month left before the tournament begins, the ICC is expected to make a final announcement soon. If Bangladesh accepts the revised plan, preparations will move ahead swiftly. If not, the governing body may be forced to take a firmer stance to avoid last-minute chaos.
For now, all eyes remain on negotiations, as ICC suggests India venues for Bangladesh T20 World Cup remains the key phrase shaping one of the biggest pre-tournament stories of the year.
Bottom Line:
The ICC is walking a tightrope between diplomacy and logistics. Whether Bangladesh accepts the proposed Indian venues or pushes for further changes will determine how smoothly the 2026 T20 World Cup unfolds — both on and off the field.