Virat Kohli’s much-awaited return to his home ground in Delhi could face an unexpected setback, with the opening ODI between India and Sri Lanka on December 13, 2026, reportedly likely to be shifted to another venue. The Arun Jaitley Stadium, which was originally scheduled to host the series opener, is undergoing major renovation work, and the ground may not be ready before the scheduled date.
The latest development has disappointed cricket fans in the national capital, particularly those hoping to watch Virat Kohli play an international match in front of his home crowd. While the former India captain remains one of the biggest attractions in Indian cricket, the ongoing construction at the Delhi venue has created uncertainty over his potential homecoming.
According to a report published by The Hindu, the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) is converting the stadium’s traditional outfield into a modern sand-based surface. The renovation is expected to take approximately three to four months, making it difficult for the venue to become match-ready before the December international fixture.
Arun Jaitley Stadium renovation creates major concern
The primary reason behind the possible venue change is the extensive renovation of the Arun Jaitley Stadium’s outfield. The DDCA is undertaking the project to improve the ground’s drainage infrastructure and bring the playing surface in line with modern cricket facilities.
A source familiar with the development told The Hindu that the work would require around four months to complete. The source also highlighted how sand-based outfields could significantly improve drainage and reduce delays caused by rain.
The new system is expected to allow water to drain more efficiently, preventing puddles from forming on the playing surface. This would help ground staff prepare the field more quickly after rainfall and reduce the possibility of lengthy interruptions.
Several Indian cricket venues, including the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur and the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, already have sand-based outfields.
The renovation is therefore an important infrastructure upgrade for Delhi cricket. However, the timing has become a problem because the stadium was also scheduled to host an international fixture in December.
If the reported timeline remains unchanged, the Arun Jaitley Stadium could remain unavailable for competitive cricket until the 2027 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
BCCI had earlier responded to venue-shift rumours
Interestingly, the possibility of the India vs Sri Lanka ODI moving away from Delhi had already attracted attention in October.
At that time, reports suggested that the December 13 match could be shifted to Ahmedabad because of the ongoing renovation work. However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed those reports, saying that no decision had been taken to change the venue.
He clarified that the India-Sri Lanka fixture had been allotted to Delhi under the board’s standard venue-allocation policy.
However, the latest renovation developments have once again raised questions about whether the national capital can host the match as originally planned.
As of November 2, the BCCI’s published schedule continues to list the Arun Jaitley Stadium as the venue for the first ODI. No official relocation announcement has been confirmed, meaning fans will have to wait for further clarification from the cricket board.
Delhi’s Ranji Trophy matches also affected
The impact of the Arun Jaitley Stadium renovation is not limited to international cricket. Delhi’s domestic cricket schedule has also been affected by the ongoing work.
The DDCA has moved Delhi’s Ranji Trophy home fixtures to the Air Force Complex Ground in Palam. The alternative venue is being used while renovation work continues at the national capital’s primary cricket stadium.
Delhi’s regular home ground has hosted several memorable international matches over the years. Its absence from the domestic calendar highlights the scale of the infrastructure project.
The last ODI played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium came during the 2023 ODI World Cup, when India defeated Afghanistan by eight wickets on October 11. The match also witnessed Rohit Sharma produce a memorable century.
For Virat Kohli, the possibility of missing the December fixture would be particularly disappointing for supporters who associate him closely with Delhi cricket.
India vs Sri Lanka ODI series 2026: Full schedule
India are scheduled to host Sri Lanka for a white-ball series featuring three ODIs and three T20Is in December 2026.
The ODI series is scheduled to begin on December 13, with Bengaluru and Ahmedabad originally selected to host the remaining two matches.
Here is the announced schedule:
| Match | Date | Originally scheduled venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | December 13 | Delhi |
| 2nd ODI | December 16 | Bengaluru |
| 3rd ODI | December 19 | Ahmedabad |
Following the ODI series, both teams will compete in three T20Is. Rajkot, Cuttack and Pune are scheduled to host the shortest-format matches on December 22, 24 and 27, respectively.
The series will provide another opportunity for Indian cricket fans to watch their favourite players in action across different formats.
For now, the biggest question remains whether Virat Kohli will get the opportunity to play the opening ODI against Sri Lanka in his home city. The Arun Jaitley Stadium’s renovation has created a significant scheduling challenge, but an official confirmation regarding the venue is still awaited.
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