BCCI Shifts India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI From Delhi to Visakhapatnam
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has shifted the opening fixture of the upcoming home One-Day International series against Sri Lanka from Delhi to Visakhapatnam. The inaugural encounter of the Muthoot FinCorp bilateral series will now take place at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium on Sunday, December 13, 2026. The venue alteration was implemented following a specific petition submitted by the Delhi and District Cricket Association.
Renovation Delays and Environmental Factors in Delhi
The state cricket association requested the venue transfer in light of proposed renovation work alongside potential weather disruptions in the national capital. The Arun Jaitley Stadium, historically known as Feroz Shah Kotla, is currently undergoing extensive facility renovations and outfield relaying operations. Association officials expressed concerns that ongoing stadium work, coupled with possible weather disruptions, could affect the smooth conduct of the international fixture. Furthermore, Delhi traditionally experiences deteriorating air quality and heavy winter atmospheric smog during December, posing potential visibility and player health disruptions. Winter air quality across the capital region regularly deteriorates to elevated levels, reinforcing the decision to relocate the match, according to NDTV. Environmental conditions in Delhi have previously affected bilateral fixtures, with several Sri Lankan cricketers wearing protective masks to field during a past Test match because of air pollution. By transferring the series opener to coastal Andhra Pradesh, cricket administrators aimed to ensure uninterrupted playing conditions for both competing international squads.
Complete Tour Schedule Across Formats and Cities
The Sri Lankan cricket team is scheduled to tour India for a multi-format bilateral series comprising three One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals. The revised international itinerary confirms that following the December 13 opener in Visakhapatnam, the teams will travel south for the second ODI at Bengaluru on Wednesday, December 16. The three-match ODI series will conclude at Ahmedabad on Saturday, December 19, with all three daytime matches commencing at 2:00 PM Indian Standard Time. The action then shifts to the shorter format beginning with the opening T20I at Rajkot on Tuesday, December 22, scheduled under lights at 7:00 PM. The second T20I will convene at Cuttack on Thursday, December 24, before the comprehensive tour wraps up with the series finale at Pune on Sunday, December 27. While the opening ODI has moved to Visakhapatnam, the subsequent five tour fixtures will proceed at their assigned stadiums without modification. Before travelling to India for the limited-overs tour, Sri Lanka is engaged in a two-match Test series in Pakistan.