BCCI Declines T20I Charity Matches for India’s August Tour of Sri Lanka

India’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka in August, featuring two Tests and two T20Is, will proceed as planned. However, the BCCI has declined SLC’s request for two charity T20 games in December to raise funds for victims of Cyclone Ditwah, according to SLC chairman Shammi Silva.

Sri Lanka suffered losses of USD 1.6 billion, with 600 lives lost due to the cyclone. “We considered hosting matches on December 27 and 29 to support cyclone reconstruction, but we couldn’t finalize commercial arrangements in time,” Silva shared with reporters.

In addition to confirming the August tour, Silva announced that proceeds from the three upcoming T20 internationals against Pakistan in Dambulla will be directed toward the cyclone recovery fund.

Day/Night Test Plans at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground

Silva highlighted preparations for the men’s T20 World Cup, starting next month, which include refurbishing the iconic SSC grounds. “We are investing 1.75 billion LKR to install floodlights,” stated SLC treasurer Sujeewa Godaliyadda, noting that the pylons are imported from India and the lighting from Italy. Future enhancements include increasing spectator capacity from 20,000 to 30,000.

SLC CEO Samantha Dodanwela emphasized the long-overdue recognition of SSC, praising it as the club with the best facilities in the city. “Eventually, we hope to host day/night Tests here,” Dodanwela said, while clarifying no discussions occurred regarding a day/night Test against India.

The SSC will host its first World Cup match with a day game between Pakistan and the Netherlands on February 7, along with four additional matches. The venue was also the site of Sri Lanka’s first official ODI at home against England in 1982.

Published on January 2, 2026