BCCI Has Taken No Decision on December 13 Match Scheduled to Be Held in Delhi

New Delhi, October 12 (HS): Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Devajit Saikia on Monday dismissed reports claiming that the first One-Day International (ODI) between India and Sri Lanka, scheduled to be played in New Delhi on December 13, could be shifted to Ahmedabad. He clarified that the Indian cricket board had taken no decision to relocate the match.

The clarification comes amid extensive infrastructure renovation work underway at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) is installing a modern drainage system and renovating the pitches and outfield. These developments had prompted speculation about a possible change of venue.

In a statement issued on Monday, Saikia said, “Reports suggesting that the India-Sri Lanka ODI scheduled to be played in Delhi is being shifted to Ahmedabad are incorrect. The BCCI has taken no such decision.”

He added, “We request members of the media to refer only to official BCCI communications for any updates related to the schedule. It is also important to reiterate that the allocation of venues for bilateral matches is primarily governed by a standard policy.”

The second match of the three-match ODI series between India and Sri Lanka is scheduled to be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on December 16. The third ODI is slated for December 19 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The matches are considered important for India’s preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Ahead of the tournament, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, the Indian team will look to fine-tune its strategy and settle on its squad combination.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar