New Delhi: In a heartwarming gesture, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has added T20I matches to the India vs Sri Lanka series in August for supporting cyclone relief. Cyclone Ditwah, which came in the island nation in November 2025, caused widespread damage resulting in multiple deaths, injuries and even people missing from their homes, which were damaged.
So as a goodwill gesture, the Indian cricket board has added T20I games to the already-existing two-match Test series to raise funds and support those who got badly affected due to the cyclone. Sri Lanka Cricket Chairman Shammi Silva confirmed the same on Friday, January 2 also saying that he is thankful to the Indian cricket board for this heartening gesture.
BCCI was willing for a series in December: Silva
Silva further revealed that after the cyclone hit parts of Sri Lanka in late November 2025, the BCCI was willing to organise an away series in the following month in December but due to time constraints amid already existing series’, this could not be scheduled.
‘There was willingness from India to come down at the end of December to play two T20Is to raise funds, but there was simply no time to organise it, especially with no broadcaster available,’ the SLC Chairman said.
Expressing gratitude towards the BCCI and Team India, he said that these extra T20I matches will generate much-needed revenue for cyclone relief and reconstruction efforts, mending the damages which have been caused.
Sports has turned into a healer with the series acting as a medicine to alleviated pain. India and Sri Lanka will play another series in 2026, when the latter will tour the former for a white-ball tour comprising three ODIs and five T20Is in the month of December. India is known to extend its solidarity with the other cricket boards especially in the Asian belt during such circumstances.