India Tour of South Africa: With just a little over two weeks, India’s important tour of South Africa is still doubtful. But South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) expects the series to go ahead despite the new Covid-19 Omicron variant concerns. However, as per information available with InsideSport, the BCCI will take a call after consulting with the Indian government. Follow Ind vs SA live updates on InsideSport.IN.
The South African government has promised all the bio-safety protocols in place for the India tour and a bio-bubble for the players. It should be noted that the India A team in Bloemfontein are not under any bio-secure bubble.
“South Africa will take all precautions necessary to ensure the health and safety of the Indian teams. ‘A’ full Bio-secure environment will be established around both the South African and Indian ‘A’ Teams as well as the two National Teams,” said the official statement.
However, the Indian board is not going to take a call until next week. As the Covid-19 situation in South Africa is an evolving one, BCCI wants to take cautious steps and wants to consult the government before going ahead with the tour.
“Things are obviously not looking good in South Africa. We are in constant touch with the CSA. We will see if a change in venue is possible. But at this moment, it is difficult to say anything. By next week, we will have some idea as the situation is still developing,” a BCCI official told InsideSport.
India is slated to visit South Africa in December-January. The side will play three Tests, three ODIs and four T20Is. The tour is slated to kick start on December 17 with the 1st Test at Wanderers, Johannesburg.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) released a statement, saying it expects the bilateral cricket series between India and South Africa to go ahead in December-January.
Things are obviously not looking good in South Africa. We are in constant touch with the CSA. We will see if a change in venue is possible. But at this moment, it is difficult to say anything. By next week, we will have some idea as the situation is still developing.
India Tour of South Africa: DIRCO expects Ind-SA series to go ahead despite Omicron concern, BCCI waiting for govt’s nod
India Tour of South Africa: Great news for BCCI and CSA, DIRCO expects Ind-SA series to go ahead as planned despite Omicron COVID-19 variant
The statement comes following concerns that the tour might have to be called off due to the emergence of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.
“We stand with them (as they deal with this threat), the only thing is we won’t compromise on players’ safety. As of now we have a chartered flight going to Johannesburg as scheduled and players will be in a bio bubble,” BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal told PTI.
India Tour of South Africa: DIRCO expects Ind-SA series to go ahead despite Omicron concern, BCCI waiting for govt’s nod
“India’s decision to show solidarity by choosing to continue with the tour of the Indian ‘A’ Team stands in contrast with a number of countries who have decided to close their borders and to restrict travel from Southern African after South Africa announced the detection of the new Omicron variant,” it added.
[Read] @DIRCO_ZA says it expects the international cricket series between India and the Proteas in South Africa to go ahead following concerns that the tour may be put in jeopardy due to the emergence of the #Omicron #COVID19 variant https://t.co/oDbCoJtEPE pic.twitter.com/tYYQgev96a
— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) November 29, 2021
The statement further said: “The South African Government has expressed its appreciation to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for allowing the tour to continue and for not letting travel restrictions negatively impact on international sports.”
India A is also currently in South Africa fulfilling their commitment of playing three 4-day games.
“The South African Government wishes to welcome the Indian ‘A’ Cricket Team that is currently in South Africa to play three unofficial test matches against the South African ‘A’ Team,” read the statement.
The Omicron variant (B.1.1.529), a new variant of the coronavirus, was first reported in Botswana on November 11, 2021, and appeared on November 14 in South Africa.
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