India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI Moved from Delhi to Visakhapatnam: BCCI Confirms December 13 Venue Change

BCCI shifts the series opener

India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI on 13 December 2026 will no longer be played in Delhi. The BCCI confirmed on 5 November 2026 that the opening Muthoot FinCorp ODI has been moved to the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

The board said the change followed a request from the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) citing potential weather disruption and proposed renovation work at Arun Jaitley Stadium. The match date stays 13 December 2026.

Why the venue changed

DDCA asked BCCI to relocate the fixture while renovation work — including reported outfield relaying — continues in Delhi, and while December weather and air-quality risk make an afternoon ODI harder to stage cleanly. BCCI had earlier publicly dismissed rumours that the same game would move to Ahmedabad; the confirmed destination is Visakhapatnam.

For fans this means Delhi misses a rare December ODI, while Visakhapatnam gains a home international with more than a month's notice for ticketing and logistics.

Revised India vs Sri Lanka white-ball grid

Only the opening ODI venue is confirmed as changed. Later fixtures remain as previously allotted unless BCCI issues another advisory.

What Visakhapatnam brings

ACA-VDCA is a familiar India ODI venue with coastal humidity and generally true batting surfaces once the new ball settles — a different challenge from a winter afternoon in Delhi. Local associations now have a clear runway to organise sales if BCCI and ACA publish windows promptly.

While India's senior men are currently busy in New Zealand — see our 1st ODI match report and 2nd ODI Wellington preview — December's Sri Lanka series is the next major home white-ball block on the calendar. Track completed series on the results hub.

How this sits in India's home calendar

December's Sri Lanka series is India's next home white-ball assignment after the New Zealand tour. Moving the opener to Visakhapatnam does not alter the overall shape of the tour — three ODIs then three T20Is — but it does change travel for players, broadcasters and fans who had planned around Delhi.

Historically, Visakhapatnam has produced competitive ODIs with good crowds when India play at home on the coast. With the BCCI advisory now public, state association and municipal planning can move from contingency talk to execution. Anyone holding provisional Delhi travel plans for 13 December should switch attention to ACA-VDCA announcements.

If you are following India's present assignment first, start with the Eden Park match report and the Wellington 2nd ODI preview, then keep this Visakhapatnam note bookmarked for December.

Bottom line

Treat Visakhapatnam as locked for the India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI on 13 December 2026. Squads and broadcast details usually follow closer to the series.

Sources: BCCI media advisory, 5 November 2026. Later-match venues in the table are as reported with the advisory by major Indian sports desks; a fresh BCCI note would override them.