India vs Sri Lanka 2026: 1st ODI moves from Delhi to Visakhapatnam, full schedule
05-Nov-2026 · Sri Lanka tour of India 2026 – ODI
The first ODI between India and Sri Lanka has a new home. The BCCI announced on 5 November that the match on Sunday, 13 December will be played at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, not at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The date and the 2:00 pm start stay the same.
Why the game left Delhi
The move came at the request of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA). It gave two reasons: the risk of weather disruption in December, and renovation work planned at the stadium. The work is expected to include a new pitch and outfield, a new drainage system and other upgrades, and it will also keep the ground's Ranji Trophy matches away this season.
The game would have been Delhi's first ODI since the 2023 World Cup. The city has not hosted an international match in December since 2017, when India played Sri Lanka in a Test. Air pollution was so bad during that game that several Sri Lanka players fielded wearing masks.
Full schedule
Sri Lanka play three ODIs and three T20Is in 15 days, in six different cities. All times are IST.
ODIs (day-night, 2:00 pm starts)
- 1st ODI: Sunday, 13 December, Visakhapatnam
- 2nd ODI: Wednesday, 16 December, Bengaluru
- 3rd ODI: Saturday, 19 December, Ahmedabad
T20Is (7:00 pm starts)
- 1st T20I: Tuesday, 22 December, Rajkot
- 2nd T20I: Thursday, 24 December, Cuttack
- 3rd T20I: Sunday, 27 December, Pune
Some reports have the ODI and T20I venues the wrong way round. The list above follows the BCCI's own schedule. Fixtures can still change, so check the match page before each game.
A busy month for both teams
Neither side will arrive fresh. India are in New Zealand for a five-match ODI series followed by two Tests, so the Sri Lanka series starts soon after they get home. Sri Lanka are in Pakistan for two Tests starting on 9 November, before travelling to India.
What it means for fantasy players
- Six chances in 15 days. Matches come every two or three days, so teams are likely to rest and rotate players, especially after India's long tour of New Zealand. Wait for the lineups before you lock your team.
- Two formats, two kinds of pick. ODI points reward players who bat long and bowl their full ten overs; T20I points favour quick runs and wickets in the powerplay and at the death. Smart Pick on Fantasy11 uses each player's recent form in the same format, so ODI and T20I suggestions will differ.
- Evening conditions. All three T20Is and the second half of each ODI are played under lights in December, when dew can make bowling harder later in the game. Keep an eye on the toss.
Follow the series
Both series are already on Fantasy11: the ODI series and the T20I series. Squads will be added as they are announced, and contests, which are always free to enter, will open closer to each match.