October 13, 2026 By Admin
India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI 2026 will be played in Delhi on December 13. BCCI’s clarification dismissing the Ahmedabad-shift reports, and lays out the full six-match ODI and T20I schedule.
India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI 2026: Date, Venue and Latest BCCI Update
The India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI 2026 is set for December 13 at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, and the BCCI has now put to rest reports that the opener might shift to Ahmedabad. Here's the confirmed date, venue, full series schedule and what the clarification actually means.
India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI 2026: Date and Venue
The first ODI between India and Sri Lanka is scheduled for Sunday, December 13, 2026, at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. According to the published BCCI schedule, the match is set to begin at 2:00 PM IST.
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI |
| Date | Sunday, December 13, 2026 |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium |
| City | New Delhi, India |
| Scheduled start | 2:00 PM IST |
| Series | Sri Lanka tour of India 2026 |
The venue and date are listed on the official BCCI match page for the series.
BCCI Clarifies the India vs Sri Lanka ODI Venue
The venue of the opening ODI became a talking point after reports suggested the match could move from Delhi to Ahmedabad, linked to construction work at Arun Jaitley Stadium.
On October 12, 2026, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia rejected those reports, stating no decision had been taken to shift the match and that bilateral fixtures are allocated under the board's standard policy. Ahmedabad is already scheduled to host the third ODI of the series on December 19, so it's worth keeping that match separate from reports about the opener.
Important
As of October 13, 2026, the first ODI remains scheduled for Delhi on December 13. Match dates, venues and timings can still be revised by the BCCI, so check the official BCCI schedule for the latest confirmation before making travel or ticket plans.
India vs Sri Lanka Schedule 2026: Full ODI and T20I Series
India and Sri Lanka are scheduled to play three ODIs before moving into a three-match T20I series, six matches in total across December.
Opens in Delhi on December 13, moves to Bengaluru on December 16, and wraps up in Ahmedabad on December 19. All three matches start at 2:00 PM IST.
Begins three days after the final ODI, with Rajkot, Cuttack and Pune hosting the three T20Is, each starting at 7:00 PM IST.
ODI Series Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | December 13, 2026 | Delhi | 2:00 PM |
| 2nd ODI | December 16, 2026 | Bengaluru | 2:00 PM |
| 3rd ODI | December 19, 2026 | Ahmedabad | 2:00 PM |
T20I Series Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | December 22, 2026 | Rajkot | 7:00 PM |
| 2nd T20I | December 24, 2026 | Cuttack | 7:00 PM |
| 3rd T20I | December 27, 2026 | Pune | 7:00 PM |
Why the Venue Confirmation Matters
The BCCI's clarification settles the immediate question around the opening ODI's venue. For fans planning to attend, it gives a clearer basis for following ticket announcements and travel arrangements, though the confirmation itself doesn't mean tickets are on sale yet.
It also helps separate official fixture information from reports about a possible relocation. Until the BCCI announces a change, Delhi stays the venue for the series opener.
Quick Takeaway
Rely on official BCCI announcements and authorised ticketing channels rather than early reports, schedule speculation around marquee fixtures is common, and the published fixture list is always the final word until BCCI says otherwise.
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When is the India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI in 2026?
The first ODI is scheduled for Sunday, December 13, 2026.
Where will India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI 2026 be played?
The match is scheduled to take place at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, India.
Has the BCCI shifted the first ODI from Delhi to Ahmedabad?
No. On October 12, 2026, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia rejected reports of a venue change. Delhi remains the scheduled venue for the opening ODI.
What time will the India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI start?
The match is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM Indian Standard Time, according to the published BCCI fixture list.
Where will the second and third ODIs take place?
The second ODI is scheduled for December 16 in Bengaluru, and the third ODI for December 19 in Ahmedabad.
How many matches will India and Sri Lanka play in December 2026?
Six matches in total: three ODIs followed by three T20Is, running from December 13 to December 27.
When does the India vs Sri Lanka T20I series begin?
The first T20I is scheduled for December 22, 2026, in Rajkot.
Final Takeaway
The India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI 2026 remains scheduled for December 13 at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The BCCI's October 12 clarification dismissed reports that the opener would move to Ahmedabad, and the full six-match series runs through to December 27.
- 1st ODI: December 13, Delhi, 2:00 PM IST
- BCCI confirmed Delhi stays the venue on October 12, 2026
- 3 ODIs (Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad) followed by 3 T20Is (Rajkot, Cuttack, Pune)
- Series runs December 13 to December 27, 2026