India’s scheduled tour of Bangladesh in August and the Asia Cup in September may be postponed due to growing security concerns and scheduling conflicts caused by the suspended Indian Premier League (IPL).

According to a report by the Times of India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is currently taking a cautious stance on both the Bangladesh tour and the Asia Cup, as it plans to hold the remaining 16 IPL matches either in August or September.

Originally, India was set to play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in Bangladesh in August. 

However, BCCI’s priority has shifted after a recent security scare during an IPL match in Dharamshala. On Thursday (May 8), the floodlights at the stadium were abruptly turned off mid-match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals. Later, the match was suspended for security reasons amid reports of cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.

On the night of the incident, several Pakistani strikes reportedly took place along India’s western border, shortly after India launched a missile attack on Pakistan following militant violence in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Following the unexpected disruption, players from both teams left Dharamshala early Friday (May 9), visibly shaken by the situation. Indian media reports suggest that due to the tense environment, BCCI is unlikely to resume IPL soon and may push the remaining matches to later this year.

As per the original calendar, IPL was scheduled to conclude this month, after which India would travel to England in early June for a five-match Test series. The Bangladesh series and Asia Cup were next in line.

Sources quoted by the Times of India said that even if BCCI manages to finish the IPL before the Bangladesh tour and Asia Cup dates, both international events are still likely to be cancelled or postponed. Player safety and mental well-being are now being prioritized over tight scheduling, and BCCI is not expected to compromise on this stance.

MSK/