The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has moved the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka out of New Delhi.
The match will now be played in Visakhapatnam.
The game was set for December 13, 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Now the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium will host it instead.
Key points
- The first ODI between India and Sri Lanka moves from Delhi to Visakhapatnam.
- The date stays the same, December 13, 2026.
- The change came after a request from the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).
- The rest of the series, including the T20Is, continues as planned.
Why was the match moved from Delhi?
The DDCA raised two main concerns. One was possible weather disruption in the capital during December.
The other was renovation work at the stadium.
The BCCI said the change was made because of this request.
Mashable India reported that the renovation work could affect preparations for the match.
Was the decision always clear?
Not quite. ABP News reported that the BCCI had earlier rejected reports of a shift.
At that time, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said Delhi had been allotted the match under the board's standard venue policy.
The latest decision changes that position.
Sources differ on how the earlier stance fits with this move, so the full reasons may still become clearer later.
So what does this mean for fans and the series?
Fans in Delhi who planned to watch the opener will need to travel to Visakhapatnam.
Times Now reported that Virat Kohli is unlikely to get a final home game for India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
The second ODI will be played at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on December 16.
The third ODI will be in Ahmedabad, according to Mashable India. The ODIs start at 2 PM IST.
- December 13, 2026First ODI moved from Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, to ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
- December 16Second ODI at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru
- December 22Three T20Is begin, in the evening at 7 PM IST
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
The three T20Is begin on December 22, in the evening at 7 PM IST. For the teams, the timeline stays the same.
Sources
- Times Now: No Home Farewell For Virat Kohli As BCCI Shifts 1st India-Sri Lanka Out Of Delhi; New Venue Revealed
- Mashable India: BCCI Changes Venue For India Vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI: Check Revised Schedule And Dates
- ABP News: Bad News For Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Fans In Delhi! BCCI Shifts India vs Sri Lanka ODI Venue
