Virat Kohli and Rohit Shama’s return on hold as Bangladesh tour faces delay

Dubai: India’s white-ball tour of Bangladesh in August is likely to be delayed — a setback for fans eager to see Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma return after their Test and T20 retirements.

The tour, part of the ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP), includes three ODIs and three T20Is and was scheduled to begin on August 17 in Dhaka. But it now hinges on clearance from the Indian government, a senior Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official told AFP on Wednesday.

While the new-look Indian team is currently playing a five-Test series in England, Kohli and Rohit — both on a break from cricket — were expected to make their return in the Bangladesh series. Kohli recently hosted teammates at his residence in England, while Rohit has been enjoying time off with family.

However, the uncertainty over the tour has cast doubt on those plans.

“The tour is part of the FTP, so cancellation is not an option. But it may be rescheduled to a mutually convenient time,” said BCB media committee chairman Iftikhar Rahman.

He confirmed that the BCCI had informed the board about a possible delay, though no specific details were given.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not issued an official statement yet.

BCB sources suggest that the delay is linked to diplomatic clearance — a formality that has gained weight following recent political tensions between India and Bangladesh. The strain emerged after the mass uprising in Dhaka last August that led to the ousting of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladesh toured India as recently as September-October 2024 for two Tests and two T20Is. The return tour was seen as the first step in India’s white-ball rebuild ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup — with Kohli and Rohit expected to guide the transition phase.

Their international futures became a talking point after they exited T20Is last year, followed by surprise Test retirements in May. The Bangladesh tour was expected to be their comeback moment.

If government clearance is not granted soon, the pair’s return to Indian colours could be delayed until the three-match ODI series in Australia starting October 19.

For now, fans — and world cricket — will have to keep waiting.

— With inputs from AFP