BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia (ANI Photo)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India ( BCCI ) has dismissed reports suggesting that the opening ODI between India and Sri Lanka, scheduled to be played in Delhi on December 13, has been shifted to Ahmedabad amid concerns over ongoing construction work at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The reports suggested that Ahmedabad could replace Delhi as the host of the December 13 match. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is already scheduled to host the third and final ODI on December 19. Sri Lanka are scheduled to tour India from December 13 to December 27, 2026, for a white-ball series comprising three ODIs and three T20 Internationals. Match Date Venue Time (IST) 1st ODI December 13, 2026 Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi 2:00 PM 2nd ODI December 16, 2026 M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru 2:00 PM 3rd ODI December 19, 2026 Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad 2:00 PM Following the ODI leg, the two teams will contest a three-match T20I series across Rajkot, Cuttack and Pune.
There has been no such decision by the BCCI,” Saikia said. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia clarified that the match remains allotted to the national capital, putting an end to speculation over a possible venue change. Speculation over the opening ODI emerged amid reports of ongoing construction work at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, raising questions about the venue’s readiness to host the international fixture. “Reports suggesting that the India–Sri Lanka ODI match scheduled in Delhi may be shifted to Ahmedabad are not accurate. The ODI series will begin in Delhi before moving to Bengaluru, with Ahmedabad hosting the final match.
Saikia said on Monday that no decision had been taken to move the fixture, reiterating that bilateral matches are allotted to venues according to the board’s standard policy.