Xtra Time Web Desk: The Indian Cricket Team will be touring Sri Lanka for a white ball series involving three ODIs and T20Is in July next year. The tour will take place immediately after the completion of T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA. The announcement of the schedule was made by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board via social media, revealing that the series is part of the Future Tours Program (FTP).
Despite the recent ban imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on the Sri Lanka Cricket Board, stemming from which the U-19 World Cup was relocated to South Africa, the bilateral series remains unaffected. The FTP allows teams to participate in scheduled series, both at home and away, irrespective of the governing body’s sanctions.
This tour comes hot on the heels of the ICC T20 World Cup, slated to take place in the West Indies and the USA. Given the crammed schedule, it will be highly unlikely a full-strength Indian side will travel to the emerald isle.
Team India last toured Sri Lanka in 2021 for a bilateral series where the Shikhar Dhawan-led side won the ODI leg 2-1 and lost the T20I leg with the same margin.
Sri Lankan cricketers will be looking to improve their performances after their poor showing in the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup in India where they finished ninth and failed to qualify for the Champions Trophy 2025.