# Delhi Retains Opening ODI Between India and Sri Lanka as BCCI Rebuts Relocation Claims

> BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed speculation about shifting the first ODI from Delhi to Ahmedabad, confirming the match will proceed at Arun Jaitley Stadium.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Cricket · **Published:** 2026-10-12 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/arun-jaitley-stadium-men-hi-hoga-bharata-aura-sri-lanka-ka-pahala-vanade-mukabala-bcci-ne-kharija-kin-badalava-ki-baten-46964 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** India vs Sri Lanka, BCCI, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Devajit Saikia, ODI Series, Cricket Schedule

Speculation surrounding the venue of the opening One Day International between India and Sri Lanka has been formally put to rest ahead of the bilateral series scheduled for December. Reports had recently emerged claiming that the opening fixture, initially allotted to the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, was likely to be relocated to Ahmedabad. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has firmly refuted these assertions. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia issued a clear clarification confirming that no venue switch has been approved and that the match will take place at its designated stadium in the capital as planned.

## BCCI Sets the Record Straight on Venue Rumours
Addressing the shifting reports directly, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia made it clear that the governing body had never entertained any proposal to alter the tournament itinerary. Dismissing the circulating claims regarding a move to Ahmedabad, Saikia noted, **"The news regarding the shift of the India-Sri Lanka ODI from Delhi to Ahmedabad is incorrect."**

He emphasized that the board had not adopted any such resolution. Saikia further requested that media representatives and fans refer exclusively to official releases from the board for factual scheduling updates. He pointed out that bilateral fixtures are allotted to host cities in strict accordance with a defined policy framework rather than arbitrary decisions. Notably, the Arun Jaitley Stadium recently served as the host venue for matches during the three-match T20 international series between India and Afghanistan.

## Renovation Plans Sparked Venue Doubts
The origin of the relocation rumors stemmed from planned maintenance and renovation activities at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Comprehensive upgrades had been planned for the facility, centering on modernizing the playing pitches, revamping the outfield, and overhauling the stadium drainage systems. Observers began questioning whether the extensive ground improvements would disrupt the preparations required to stage an international fixture on time, fueling assumptions that the fixture might be moved to Ahmedabad as an alternative.

The board's unequivocal affirmation has eliminated these doubts, assuring that the ground operations will align with international commitments and that Delhi will stage the contest without disruption.

## Comprehensive Tour Schedule for Sri Lanka's Visit
The upcoming visit by the Sri Lankan national squad features three One Day Internationals followed by a three-match T20 international series. This fifty-over segment serves as a crucial platform for the Indian team as they continue assembling their core tactical combinations ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will take place across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

## The itinerary for the three-match ODI series is structured as follows
- **First ODI:** 13 December at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
- **Second ODI:** 16 December at Bengaluru.
- **Third ODI:** 19 December at Ahmedabad.

Following the conclusion of the 50-over format, the two nations will shift their attention to the shorter format across three different centers

- **First T20I:** 22 December in Rajkot.
- **Second T20I:** 24 December in Cuttack.
- **Third T20I:** 27 December in Pune.

With the operational roadmap officially confirmed, cricket supporters in Delhi can look forward to hosting the series opener as initially planned.

## What this means for you
This decision provides complete clarity for cricket fans across India and specifically helps spectators in Delhi finalize their matchday plans.

- **Across India:** Cricket followers planning inter-city travel or broadcast schedules can proceed without confusion regarding match locations. Fans across Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and the T20 host cities now have the confirmed bilateral calendar in hand.
- **In Delhi:** Local supporters are guaranteed an international fixture at Arun Jaitley Stadium on 13 December. Travel arrangements, local hospitality, and spectator planning in the capital region can continue without logistical disruption.
- **For Ticket Buyers:** Prospective matchgoers will be able to purchase tickets specifically for the Delhi venue once sales go live. This removes the inconvenience of ticket cancellations, rescheduling, or refund processing associated with sudden venue swaps.
- **For Stadium Ground Staff:** The local cricket administration now has a clear timeline to complete planned ground upgrades alongside hosting logistics. Upgrades to the outfield and drainage must align smoothly with international matchday requirements.

## Why this happened
The official clarification came after speculative reports suggested the series opener might be moved away from Delhi to Ahmedabad.

- **Scheduled Ground Renovation:** Planned modernization work at Arun Jaitley Stadium involved extensive overhauls of the pitch, outfield, and drainage systems. Concerns arose over whether the facility would be match-ready in time for the international fixture.
- **Speculative Venue Reports:** Due to ongoing ground upgrades, rumours surfaced that the match would be shifted to Ahmedabad as an alternative venue. These unofficial reports gained traction across media platforms, creating logistical ambiguity.
- **Standard Allocation Framework:** The BCCI assigns bilateral fixtures based on an established policy across host associations. The governing body found no structural reason to alter the itinerary, prompting an explicit denial from the board secretary.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. When and where will the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka be played?
The first ODI will take place on 13 December at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

### 2. Is the Delhi ODI being shifted to Ahmedabad?
No, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that reports suggesting a move to Ahmedabad are entirely incorrect.

### 3. Why did rumours about changing the venue arise?
Speculation started due to planned renovation work modernizing the pitch, outfield, and drainage systems at Arun Jaitley Stadium.

### 4. Where will the remaining matches of the ODI series take place?
The second ODI will be held on 16 December in Bengaluru, followed by the third ODI on 19 December in Ahmedabad.

### 5. Which cities are hosting the subsequent T20I series?
The three T20Is will be played in Rajkot on 22 December, Cuttack on 24 December, and Pune on 27 December.

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