The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has revealed that India will play a three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Australia in preparation for the 2023 World Cup. The series, scheduled to take place after the conclusion of the Asia Cup on September 17, is reportedly part of the lead-up to the World Cup, which is set to begin on October 5.

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah confirmed that the upcoming ODI series would mark the start of a fresh media rights cycle as the existing media rights are expected to conclude by the end of August. “The tender will be coming out soon. We’re planning to close the media rights process by August end,” Shah told Inside Sport on Wednesday.

Australia, having won 2-1 in a three-match ODI series held in India earlier this year, will be back for their second bilateral ODI series on Indian soil. The ODI series will be a significant preparatory measure for both teams as they gear up for the World Cup 2023.

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Though BCCI has yet to announce the specific dates and venues of the ODI series, it is expected to run from September 20 to September 27, with India playing their first warm-up game against England on September 29. Tentative dates for the three matches could be September 20, 23, and 26.

India and Australia are also set to face off in their first match of the World Cup 2023 tournament, slated for October 8 at the M. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This adds a layer of intrigue to the ODI series, as it could set the stage for the forthcoming World Cup encounters.

Given the scheduling constraints due to the Asia Cup and World Cup warm-up matches, the venues for the bilateral ODI series will likely be stadiums that are not hosting World Cup games. The limited window from September 20 to 27 allows for only a week of action between these two cricketing giants, adding a sense of anticipation to the series.