BCCI says India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI will be played in Delhi on December 13, 2026

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has denied reports that the first One-Day International between India and Sri Lanka would be moved from Delhi to Ahmedabad, confirming the match will take place at Arun Jaitley Stadium on December 13, 2026.

Sri Lanka are scheduled to tour India for three ODIs followed by three T20Is, with the series set to begin on December 13. As India prepare for the Cricket World Cup slated for October–November 2027, the national management is seeking the best combinations across 50-over fixtures and the ODI matches carry added importance in that context.

In a brief statement on October 12, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the first ODI was allotted to Delhi “as per standard policy” and that “Reports suggesting that the India-Sri Lanka ODI match scheduled in Delhi may be shifted to Ahmedabad are not accurate. There has been no such decision by the BCCI.” He added, “Further, it needs to be reiterated that bilateral matches are primarily allotted by following a standard policy.”

Earlier reports had claimed the opener would be moved to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, citing ongoing construction work at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The BCCI’s clarification explicitly rejected those reports and restated that the fixture will be held at Arun Jaitley Stadium.

The statement and subsequent confirmation resolve questions raised by supporters and media after the venue-shift rumours circulated. The fixture now stands scheduled at the originally allotted ground, with arrangements to be carried out in Delhi for the December 13 match.

India lost the 2023 ODI World Cup final to Australia, a fact mentioned alongside the growing significance of every 50-over match as the team builds toward the 2027 tournament.

The India vs Sri Lanka ODI series will commence on December 13, 2026, with the first match set for Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi; the tour also includes two further ODIs and three T20Is as scheduled.