The BCCI has changed the venue of the opening match in the India vs Sri Lanka home series. The 1st ODI, originally scheduled for Delhi, will now be played in Visakhapatnam. The six-match white-ball series begins on December 13 and forms part of India's preparation ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Why the 1st ODI Venue Has Changed
On November 5, the BCCI confirmed through an official press release that the first ODI will be played at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Delhi had been the original venue for the series opener.
The board cited two factors: potential weather disruption and proposed renovation work at the Delhi stadium. The rest of the series structure remains unchanged.
Summary of the Change
| Detail | Previous Plan | Revised Plan |
|---|
| 1st ODI venue | Delhi | Visakhapatnam (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium) |
| Start date | December 13, 2026 | December 13, 2026 |
| Total matches | 6 | 6 |
| Reasons cited | N/A | Weather disruption risk, proposed renovation work |
Revised India vs Sri Lanka Schedule
The series features three ODIs followed by three T20Is. Matches will be spread across six different venues, with one match per city.
All ODIs start at 2:00 PM, while the T20Is are scheduled for 7:00 PM.
| Match | Date | Start Time | Venue |
|---|
| 1st ODI | Sunday, December 13, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Visakhapatnam |
| 2nd ODI | Wednesday, December 16, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Bengaluru |
| 3rd ODI | Saturday, December 19, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Ahmedabad |
| 1st T20I | Tuesday, December 22, 2026 | 7:00 PM | Rajkot |
| 2nd T20I | Thursday, December 24, 2026 | 7:00 PM | Cuttack |
| 3rd T20I | Sunday, December 27, 2026 | 7:00 PM | Pune |
Series Structure in Numbers
The series spans 15 days from the first ODI to the final T20I. Gaps between matches are mostly three days, with one two-day gap between the first and second T20Is.
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| Total matches | 6 (3 ODIs, 3 T20Is) |
| Total venues | 6 |
| Series window | December 13 to December 27, 2026 (15 days) |
| Gap between ODIs | 3 days each |
| Gap between last ODI and first T20I | 3 days |
| Gap between T20Is | 2 days, then 3 days |
Recent Form Between the Two Sides
India and Sri Lanka met earlier this year in a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka. The Shubman Gill-led side won the series 1-0.
India took the first Test by 165 runs. Sri Lanka responded in the second Test, which ended in a draw.
| Test | Result | Margin |
|---|
| 1st Test | India won | 165 runs |
| 2nd Test | Draw | N/A |
| Series | India won | 1-0 |
Why the ODI Leg Matters Before the 2027 World Cup
Only three ODIs are scheduled in this series, which makes each match an important data point for team selection. The matches give both sides a chance to test combinations against quality batters and bowlers.
The 2027 ODI World Cup will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Bowlers are expected to play a significant role in those conditions, so performances in this series may carry extra weight.
India's Current ODI Assignment in New Zealand
Before the home series, India is playing a five-match ODI series in New Zealand under Shubman Gill. India opened with a 5-wicket win over the hosts in a low-scoring match in Auckland.
The team will aim to clinch the series to maintain confidence and momentum. Winning in New Zealand is a demanding task, which makes the early 1-0 lead a useful starting point.
| Series | Format | Matches | Status |
|---|
| India in New Zealand | ODI | 5 | India lead after 5-wicket win in Auckland |
| India vs Sri Lanka (home) | 3 ODIs + 3 T20Is | 6 | Starts December 13, 2026 |
Key Takeaways
The only change to the fixture list is the venue of the 1st ODI, which moves from Delhi to Visakhapatnam. Dates, timings and the other five venues remain the same.
For India, the New Zealand series and the Sri Lanka ODIs are among the limited opportunities to settle combinations ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Fans planning to attend should note the updated venue for the opening match.