![BCCI shifts India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI venue [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1793884232128_BCCI.jpg?type=hq)
BCCI shifts India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI venue [Source: AFP]
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially relocated the first ODI match of Sri Lanka’s upcoming tour of India. Initially scheduled to be held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the match will now be hosted by the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
The match will still be played on December 13 next month, i.e., shortly after Team India returns from New Zealand following its all-format tour.
India vs Sri Lanka ODI shifted from Delhi to Vizag
On Thursday, November 5, the BCCI confirmed that the first ODI match between India and Sri Lanka on December 13 has been relocated from Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium to Visakhapatnam’s ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.
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Team India is scheduled to host Sri Lanka in a series of three ODIs and three T20I matches between December 13 and December 27, with the first ODI set to serve as the tour opener.
Earlier reports had indicated that the match would be shifted out of Delhi and will be hosted by the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad instead. However, BCCI’s official confirmation about the update pretty much made it clear that Visakhapatnam will host the series opener, putting an end to all speculations surrounding the venue change.
Why is India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI shifted out of Delhi?
As confirmed by the BCCI, the board changed the venue of the India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI at the behest of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).
The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi is set to undergo renovation in a few weeks. Moreover, the view of “the potential weather disruption” was also considered by the cricket association and the Indian board.
A report states that the DDCA is planning to revamp the iconic Delhi venue, including pitch and outfield renovation, installation of a new modern drainage system and upgrading the overall infrastructure of the stadium.
Apart from losing hosting rights of the India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI, the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi will also be unable to host Delhi’s Ranji Trophy 2026-27 matches against Gujarat, Services and Maharashtra cricket teams.
As alternative for Ranji Trophy as well as for women’s and junior age group fixtures, the DDCA had reportedly identified Palam and Jamia Millia as possible venues to cover the Indian domestic season.
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