First ODI Shifted from Delhi to Visakhapatnam

The BCCI has moved the opening ODI of India’s upcoming home series from Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium to the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, citing weather concerns and renovation plans requested by the Delhi and District Cricket Association.

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First ODI between India and Sri Lanka to be held on December 13 shifted from Delhi to Visakhapatnam

More details 🔽 | #TeamIndia | #INDvSL | @mflone_

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— BCCI (@BCCI) November 5, 2026

The relocation was met with contrasting reactions. Supporters in Visakhapatnam celebrated the news, viewing it as a significant boost for Telugu cricket fans who will now have the opportunity to witness international cricket in their city. In Delhi, however, there was a measure of disappointment, with some expressing regret at missing what might have been a farewell occasion for players such as Virat Kohli.

The remainder of the schedule remains intact. The second ODI will be played in Bengaluru on December 16, with the third scheduled for Ahmedabad on December 19. Three T20Is will follow later in the month.

For the BCCI, the decision reflects a preference for certainty over sentiment. Weather concerns and the DDCA’s renovation requirements introduced risks that the board was unwilling to absorb for a fixture of significance. Visakhapatnam, with its established venue and favourable conditions, offers a more reliable alternative.

For the fans in Delhi, the loss of the fixture is a reminder of how scheduling decisions can carry an emotional dimension beyond the logistical. For those in Visakhapatnam, the gain is immediate and tangible: an international match, and with it the attendant excitement, arriving at short notice.

                                               

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