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]Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram Emerge as Possible Venues for Bangladesh’s World Cup Matches
by K D Mishra
The problem over Bangladesh’s match venues for the T20 World Cup is still not solved. The International Cricket Council and the Bangladesh Cricket Board have not reached a final decision yet, even though the tournament will begin in less than three weeks.
Right now, it is not clear if Bangladesh will come to India to play their matches. The Bangladesh board wants all their games to be shifted to Sri Lanka, which is the other host country. They say this is because they are worried about player safety after recent political issues between India and Bangladesh. They have sent this request to the ICC more than once.
But sources say the ICC is looking at other options and may not agree to move the matches to Sri Lanka. Instead, matches could be played at different venues in India. The ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India have spoken to the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association and the Kerala Cricket Association about hosting the games in Chennai or Thiruvananthapuram.
Officials from both state bodies could not be contacted, but it is believed they are ready to host the matches. Chennai’s Chepauk Stadium is already a World Cup venue and is set to host seven matches. TNCA has said hosting more games will not be a problem as the ground has enough pitches.
🚨 Bangladesh games unlikely to be moved to Sri Lanka
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) January 12, 2026
Option of moving Bangladesh's games to Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram are being explored#T20WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/FrOUtp8W8N
As per the current schedule, Bangladesh are supposed to play West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, and England on February 14 in Kolkata. After that, they are set to play Nepal in Mumbai on February 17.
After the Board of Control for Cricket in India asked IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, the Bangladesh board again raised concerns about travelling to India. They wrote to the ICC twice asking for a change in venues.
So far, the ICC has not given an official reply. A response may come on Monday, January 12. Even then, moving Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka looks unlikely because it would be very hard to change plans so close to the start of the tournament.
