Gwalior has been selected to host the opening T20 International between India and Bangladesh on October 6, 2024, replacing Dharamsala, where renovation work is currently underway at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association's stadium. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the change on Tuesday, stating, "The first T20I between India and Bangladesh, initially set to be held in Dharamsala on 6th October 2024, will now take place in Gwalior owing to upgrades and renovation work being carried out by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association in the dressing rooms."
This match will be the inaugural international fixture at Gwalior's new Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium, marking the city's return to the international cricket stage since the historic India-South Africa ODI in 2010, where Sachin Tendulkar became the first male cricketer to score a double century in ODIs.
In addition to this venue change, the BCCI has also agreed to swap the venues for the first and second T20Is against England in January 2025. Originally, Chennai was set to host the first T20I, but it will now host the second match, while Kolkata will host the opening T20I instead of the second, as previously announced. The dates for the two matches remain unchanged, with the first T20I scheduled for January 22, 2025, and the second for January 25, 2025.
The venue swap was made following a request from Kolkata Police to the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) due to prior Republic Day commitments and obligations.