Earlier this year, SLC had approached the BCCI with a request to add three T20Is to the itinerary, with the intention of raising funds for relief and reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditwah.  | Photo Credit: Getty Images

When India’s senior men’s team travels to Sri Lanka for a two-Test series in August, the tour won’t be expanded to include the three T20Is proposed by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

Sportstar understands that the BCCI has already informed SLC that accommodating the additional white-ball fixtures would not be possible, with India’s international calendar already packed and very little room available in the schedule.

Earlier this year, SLC had approached the BCCI with a request to add three T20Is to the itinerary, with the intention of raising funds for relief and reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditwah. The proposal was discussed at various levels, and Sri Lanka Cricket was hopeful that the goodwill between the two boards and India’s popularity in the island nation would help make the initiative possible.

There was a possible window of close to two weeks between the conclusion of the Test series and India’s next international assignment, prompting discussions on whether a short T20I leg could be slotted into the tour. However, scheduling constraints, workload management concerns and existing commitments have made it difficult for the BCCI to accommodate the additional matches.

Sources confirmed that during recent interactions between officials of the two boards, the BCCI conveyed its inability to proceed with the proposal on this occasion. At the same time, it is understood that the Indian board has kept the door open for similar initiatives in the future should a suitable window emerge in an already crowded calendar.

The development means the tour is expected to remain a two-Test affair as originally planned, with the first game beginning in August 15. While the prospect of extra matches would have generated significant interest among fans in Sri Lanka and provided a financial boost to the host board’s relief efforts, both sides appear to have accepted the practical challenges posed by the international schedule.

India last toured Sri Lanka in 2024 for a limited-overs series.

Published on Jun 27, 2026