Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram have been floated as potential alternate venues for Bangladesh to play their matches in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which is being hosted by India, according to Cricbuzz.

Bangladesh last week announced that it would not play its T20 World Cup matches in India after Mustafizur Rahman was released by his Indian Premier League (IPL) team amid growing tensions between the two countries. Subsequently, Bangladesh “formally requested” the International Cricket Council (ICC) shift its games to Sri Lanka.

According to a report by Cricbuzz published on Sunday, there is no resolution on whether Bangladesh will travel to India to play its scheduled matches.

It reported that alternative venues are being explored by the ICC and “it is unlikely they will be in Sri Lanka where Bangladesh insist on playing”.

“It has been learnt that Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) and Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) have been sounded out by the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the co-hosts of the World Cup and the option of moving Bangladesh’s games to Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram are being explored,” the report said.

It noted that neither TNCA nor KCA officials could be reached for comment, but that “it is learnt that they have expressed willingness to host the games”.

“TNCA officials are believed to have told the ICC and BCCI that they will have no problem as they have eight pitches,” the report added.

Meanwhile, NDTV reported BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia as saying on Monday that the BCCI had not recieved any update from the ICC regarding a reported shift in venue for Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches, stating that it was a matter of discussion between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the ICC.

“The BCCI has not received any communication regarding the matter of shifting Bangladesh matches to Chennai or anywhere else, and it is beyond our control,“ he said.

“It is a matter of communication between the BCB and the ICC, as the ICC is the governing body. If the ICC conveys any decision to us regarding a change of venue, the BCCI, as the host, will take the necessary steps. At present, we are not privy to any such information,” he added.