With less than a month to go for the start of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, uncertainty continues to surround Bangladesh’s group-stage matches. As of January 12, 2026, reports suggest that the International Cricket Council (ICC) is likely to propose Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram as alternative venues for Bangladesh’s fixtures, instead of the originally scheduled matches in Kolkata and Mumbai.
The development follows a formal request from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), which has raised concerns over player safety amid rising political and diplomatic tensions with India. While the BCB has consistently pushed for a complete relocation of its matches to Sri Lanka, the ICC and the BCCI are understood to be keen on keeping the fixtures within India to avoid major logistical and scheduling disruptions so close to the tournament’s start on February 7.
Why Bangladesh want their T20 World Cup matches moved
The dispute stems from a recent controversy involving Mustafizur Rahman and his commitments to the Indian Premier League. After the BCCI reportedly instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to release the Bangladesh fast bowler from their squad, relations between the two boards deteriorated. Soon after, the BCB wrote to the ICC on more than one occasion, citing security concerns for their players if they were to travel to India.
As per the original schedule, Bangladesh were set to play three Group C matches in Kolkata against West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, and England on February 14, before travelling to Mumbai to face Nepal on February 17. However, the BCB believes the current political climate makes these venues unsuitable and has continued to insist on moving all their matches to Sri Lanka, the tournament’s co-host.
Despite the repeated requests, the ICC has not issued a formal response so far. Reports indicate that the global body is unlikely to approve a full shift to Sri Lanka due to the complex logistical challenges involved, including travel arrangements, broadcast schedules, ticketing, and venue readiness at such a late stage.
Why Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram are emerging as alternatives
Instead of Sri Lanka, the ICC and BCCI have explored alternative venues within India, with Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram emerging as the most viable options. Both cities are located in South India and are seen as relatively neutral venues with fewer political sensitivities.
The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) and the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) have reportedly been approached by the ICC and the BCCI and have expressed their willingness to host additional matches. Chennai’s M. A. Chidambaram Stadium is already confirmed as a World Cup venue and is scheduled to host seven matches, including a potential Super 8 fixture. TNCA officials are confident they can manage the extra workload, pointing to the availability of multiple pitches at Chepauk.
Thiruvananthapuram’s Greenfield International Stadium also offers modern infrastructure and strong security arrangements, making it a suitable backup venue. For the ICC, shifting Bangladesh’s matches to these cities would allow the tournament to remain in India while partially addressing the BCB’s concerns.
With time running out, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram appear to be the ICC’s most realistic compromise in an ongoing standoff that remains unresolved just weeks before the opening game of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
