India Tour of South Africa: T20Is removed from tour – After much discussion, India’s tour to South Africa will be pushed back by a week while the four-match T20I series has been shelved due to the outbreak of Omicron variant of Covid-19 in South Africa. India were originally scheduled to leave on December 9 but now Virat Kohli & Co are expected to leave by December 17 and enter a 7-day hard quarantine on their arrival in South Africa. Follow InsideSport.IN for India vs South Africa series.
“BCCI has confirmed CSA that the Indian team will travel for three Tests and three ODIs. The remaining four T20Is will be played at a later date,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah told ANI.
India Tour of South Africa: BCCI Secy confirms, ‘T20Is shelved from tour, South Africa series to begin on December 26’
Later, another BCCI official confirmed to InsideSport that the dates have been pushed back while the board is waiting for Cricket South Africa to confirm the final schedule by today or tomorrow.
“It’s unfortunate but yes, we have decided to push the dates by a week. The final confirmation will be given by the CSA by today or tomorrow. We will try to go back to South Africa for the four T20Is later next year but a call on that will be taken at an appropriate time,” another BCCI official told InsideSport.
India Tour of South Africa: BCCI Secy confirms, ‘T20Is shelved from tour, South Africa series to begin on December 26’
“India’s tour of South Africa, 2021-22, will proceed with the revised dates and itinerary. The team will participate in a three-match Test series followed by a three-match ODI series starting December 26th, 2021,” BCCI later said in a statement.
Cricket South Africa later confirmed that it has reached an agreement with the BCCI and the series will now be rejigged. All the players will enter a biosecure bubble after landing in Johannesburg on December 16.
“I would like to thank both the leadership of Cricket South Africa, as well as the leadership of the BCCI for working so tirelessly to make this tour a reality. Even under the most uncertain times, the Boards kept the light of hope alive and kept us anticipating that this tour will indeed take place,” Pholetsi Moseki, Acting Chief Executive Officer at Cricket South Africa said.
India Tour of South Africa: BCCI Secy confirms, ‘T20Is shelved from tour, South Africa series to begin on December 26’
It should be noted that England cancelled their tour after landing in South Africa last year while India pulled out of the 5th Test in England due to Covid-scare in the Indian camp this year.
“For us, as CSA it is always a meeting of old friends when the Proteas take on India, but we will still present the fans with a compelling proposition and a great spectacle to watch. I would like to take this opportunity to also thank our commercial partners and fans, as we promise them a great game of cricket ahead,” Moseki added.
