Key points
- The BCCI shifted the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka from Delhi to Visakhapatnam on November 5, 2026.
- The match remains scheduled for December 13, 2026, with a 2 pm start at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.
- The Delhi and District Cricket Association requested the venue change, citing potential weather disruption and proposed renovation work at the stadium.
- The second ODI is scheduled for December 16 in Bengaluru, while the third is scheduled for December 19 in Ahmedabad.
- Sri Lanka's India tour also includes three T20Is: December 22 in Rajkot, December 24 in Cuttack and December 27 in Pune.
The opening ODI of India's home series against Sri Lanka has been shifted from Delhi to Visakhapatnam, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on November 5, 2026. The match will be played at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium on December 13, with the scheduled 2 pm start unchanged.
The BCCI said the venue change followed a request from the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), which cited potential weather disruption and proposed renovation work at the stadium. The relocation affects the venue of the first match; the date and start time remain the same.
DDCA request leads to venue change
Delhi had originally been allotted the first match of the three-ODI series. The DDCA approached the BCCI seeking a change, and the board confirmed that Visakhapatnam would take over hosting duties. The official announcement named potential weather disruption and proposed renovation work as the reasons presented by the association.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium's proposed work was a key consideration in the request. Reports around the decision have also discussed Delhi's winter air-quality concerns, but the BCCI's media advisory specifically cited the possibility of weather disruption and the renovation plans. Those official reasons should remain distinct from wider commentary about conditions in the capital.
The move gives Visakhapatnam the opening fixture of the Sri Lanka tour. The ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium has hosted international cricket previously, and will now stage the first match of this three-game ODI contest. The board's announcement did not indicate any change to the date or scheduled start time.
December 13 date remains unchanged
For supporters, the important detail is that the fixture has moved cities, not dates. The first ODI remains on Sunday, December 13, 2026, and is scheduled to begin at 2 pm. Fans who had been following the earlier Delhi listing should use the updated venue when making travel and match-day plans.
The change also means that ticketing information and local arrangements will need to correspond to the Visakhapatnam venue. Supporters should look for updates from the BCCI, the Andhra Cricket Association and authorised ticketing channels before making bookings. The venue change alone does not confirm ticket-sale dates or availability.
Updated India-Sri Lanka white-ball schedule
The Sri Lanka tour includes three ODIs followed by three T20 Internationals. According to the BCCI media advisory, the remaining ODI venues and the T20I itinerary are as follows:
- 1st ODI: December 13, 2 pm – ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
- 2nd ODI: December 16, 2 pm – Bengaluru
- 3rd ODI: December 19, 2 pm – Ahmedabad
- 1st T20I: December 22, 7 pm – Rajkot
- 2nd T20I: December 24, 7 pm – Cuttack
- 3rd T20I: December 27, 7 pm – Pune
The six matches are spread across six cities. The ODI leg begins on the east coast before moving to Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, while the T20I series travels to Rajkot, Cuttack and Pune. The BCCI advisory lists no other venue changes alongside the announcement about the opener.
What the change means for the series
Moving the opener gives the DDCA time to address the proposed work at the Delhi venue and reduces the risk of disruption identified in its request. For Visakhapatnam, the decision brings the first international fixture of the tour to the city and places it at the start of the India-Sri Lanka white-ball programme.
For the teams, the published date and start time remain stable, while the city and stadium for the first match have changed. The rest of the tour itinerary continues as listed in the BCCI advisory. Any further adjustments should be treated as official only when confirmed by the board.
SportsLine perspective: follow the official fixture, not old listings
Venue changes can leave outdated information circulating across ticketing pages, travel plans and social media posts. The practical update for fans is straightforward: the December 13 opener is now in Visakhapatnam, not Delhi. The match is still scheduled for 2 pm, and the remaining five fixtures retain their listed dates and venues in the BCCI announcement.
As the tour approaches, supporters should check the latest official notices for ticketing and stadium-entry information. For now, the confirmed change is limited to the first ODI's location, with the series calendar otherwise set out in the BCCI's November 5 advisory.
Frequently asked questions
Where will the first India vs Sri Lanka ODI be played in 2026?
The opening ODI will be played at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. The BCCI announced on November 5 that the fixture had been shifted from Delhi following a request from the Delhi and District Cricket Association.
When is the India vs Sri Lanka first ODI in Visakhapatnam?
The first ODI remains scheduled for Sunday, December 13, 2026, with a 2 pm start. The BCCI's announcement changed the venue from Delhi to Visakhapatnam but did not alter the date or scheduled start time.
Why was the India-Sri Lanka ODI moved out of Delhi?
The BCCI said the DDCA requested the venue change because of potential weather disruption and proposed renovation work at the stadium. Other reports have discussed Delhi's winter air quality, but the board's official media advisory cited weather and renovation concerns.
What is the full India vs Sri Lanka white-ball schedule in December 2026?
The ODIs are scheduled for December 13 in Visakhapatnam, December 16 in Bengaluru and December 19 in Ahmedabad. The T20Is follow on December 22 in Rajkot, December 24 in Cuttack and December 27 in Pune, according to the BCCI schedule.