The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rejected Sri Lanka Cricket’s proposal to play a charity match between India and Sri Lanka in December to raise funds for those affected by Cyclone Ditvaha. Sri Lanka Cricket president Shammi Silva said that the Indian board did not approve the request.
SLC had approached BCCI for charity T20 matches in December to support relief efforts after Cyclone Ditvah. The cyclone caused devastation throughout Sri Lanka, resulting in an estimated US$1.6 billion in damage and the loss of approximately 600 lives. The rejected charity initiative was a missed opportunity for fundraising.
BCCI rejects Sri Lanka’s request to play charity T20 match amid busy schedule
Sri Lanka Cricket has committed to using revenue from the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan to support relief and reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditvaah. The matches are to be played in Dambulla.
SLC president Shammi Silva revealed that the board had earlier planned to host two charity games in December, but they could not take place due to business challenges. He also confirmed that India will tour Sri Lanka for a full series of two Tests and two T20 Internationals in August.
“We discussed a two-match tour on December 27 and 29 to aid the reconstruction of Ditvah cyclone, but could not finalize commercial arrangements in time,” Sri Lanka Cricket president Shammi Silva told reporters, as quoted by PTI.
We are spending LKR 1.75 billion to install flood lights – SLC Treasurer
Sri Lanka Cricket has commented on preparations for the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup, with a focus on improving stadium infrastructure to meet international standards. A major venue is the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, which is undergoing major upgrades ahead of hosting World Cup matches.
“We are spending LKR 1.75 billion to install flood lights in the short term,” said SLC treasurer Sujiva Godaliadda.
“In the long run, we can hope to host day-night Tests here,” Dodnavis said.
The upgrade will allow SSC to host five T20 World Cup matches starting in February, including the first World Cup T20 match on February 7. SLC also aims to expand the seating capacity of the ground and explore the possibility of hosting day-night Test matches in the future.
India’s packed cricket schedule for 2026
India will have a busy cricket schedule in 2026, with matches taking place throughout the year. The season will begin in January with a home white-ball series against New Zealand, consisting of three ODIs and five T20Is. The series will serve as India’s final preparation before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The T20 World Cup will be played from February 7 to March 8 and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. After the tournament, India will turn its focus to overseas assignments.
In June, India will face Afghanistan in a Test and three-match ODI series. After this the team will tour Sri Lanka in August for a two-match Test series.
The year will end with another busy phase. India will tour New Zealand in October for a full series across all formats and host Sri Lanka for three ODIs and three T20Is before returning home in December.
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