Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is exploring the possibility of hosting India for a white-ball series in early August, taking advantage of a rare opening in both nations’ schedules. Final discussions are expected to take place this week on the sidelines of the ICC meetings in Singapore.
The opportunity emerged after the Lanka Premier League (LPL), initially set for August, was postponed. Simultaneously, India and Bangladesh mutually agreed to shelve a six-match limited-overs series originally planned for the same period, freeing up a window that SLC is keen to fill.
Quick to act, SLC has proposed a short bilateral series to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
We’ve received positive feedback. Further discussions will happen in Singapore during the ICC meeting. We expect a final decision within two or three days.
If approved, the series is likely to be held in Colombo and Kandy. While the initial proposal included three ODIs and three T20Is, the emphasis is expected to tilt towards T20s, given the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in February–March, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
For SLC, the series presents a dual benefit — vital match preparation ahead of the World Cup and a significant boost in revenue. Broadcast rights alone could earn the board several million dollars, easing some of the financial strain following recent setbacks.
The two teams last met in a bilateral series in 2023, where India took the T20 series and Sri Lanka responded by winning the ODIs. But this time, the stakes are even higher for the home side.
Sri Lanka are coming off a disappointing 2-1 T20 series defeat to Bangladesh — their first-ever series loss to the Tigers in the format. The defeat has prompted captain Charith Asalanka to urge the board for more high-quality cricket in the build-up to the World Cup.
There are still a few spots up for grabs, and playing competitive cricket is essential. We can’t afford to enter the World Cup undercooked.
After a promising start in Pallekele, Sri Lanka’s vulnerabilities were laid bare in Dambulla and Colombo, especially in the middle order. The proposed series against India could provide the much-needed testing ground for refining combinations and assessing fringe players under pressure.
If finalised, the series would serve as both a competitive crucible and a financial lifeline — a welcome boost for a cricket board navigating uncertainty ahead of the global tournament.
