India vs Sri Lanka opening ODI shifted from Delhi to Visakhapatnam for Dec 13 fixture
India and Sri Lanka’s opening One-Day International, scheduled for December 13, has been moved from Delhi to Visakhapatnam, the Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed on Thursday. The ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium will host the series opener while the date remains unchanged.
The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) requested the relocation, citing potential weather disruption and ongoing renovation work at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, formerly known as Feroz Shah Kotla. The venue’s outfield is being relaid as part of a major redevelopment project, complicating preparations for an international match. India Today had reported on November 2 that Delhi was likely to lose hosting rights for the fixture, and the national capital’s typically poor air quality in December was also mentioned as a concern.
"The venue change has been made following a request from the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), in view of the potential weather disruption and the proposed renovation work at the stadium. "The match will now be played at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on December 13, 2026," the BCCI said in a release.
With Delhi removed as host for the opener, Visakhapatnam will stage the first international fixture of India’s home assignment against Sri Lanka. The coastal city has previously hosted several international matches and is a regular venue on India’s home cricket calendar.
The venue switch is limited to the opening match and does not alter the teams’ original schedule for that encounter, according to the BCCI statement. The board has not announced any further changes to the tour itinerary.
Sri Lanka are scheduled to tour India for a white-ball series comprising three ODIs and three T20Is, with the opening 50-over contest set to get the tour underway on December 13. The three-match ODI leg will be followed by an equally long T20I assignment, giving both sides an opportunity to test their combinations across formats.