In a significant gesture of sporting solidarity, India has agreed to play extra T20 International matches during their upcoming tour of Sri Lanka this August. The move is designed to support recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Chairman Shammi Silva confirmed.
The additional fixtures will be integrated into India’s scheduled visit for the ICC World Test Championship series. Silva noted that while India had initially offered to fly in for a special two-match relief series in late December, the plan was sidelined due to broadcasting logistics and a tight timeframe.
“India showed great willingness to help immediately, but we simply couldn’t secure a broadcaster on such short notice for December,” Silva explained.
Beyond the Indian tour, SLC is pivoting its current calendar toward humanitarian aid. Silva announced that all revenue generated from the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan will be donated directly to flood relief. Cyclone Ditwah has left a trail of destruction across the island, displacing hundreds of thousands and causing critical infrastructure damage.