XtraTime Web Desk: Virat Kohli and his team might play South Africa in a three match T20I series in UAE ahead of the IPL 2020. Both the cricket boards –BCCI and CSA are deliberating on having a three match T20I series ahead of the Indian Premier League 2020 which will be held in the Middle East country. India was supposed to travel to South Africa in August to play a three match T20I series but the tour had to be called off due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It is learnt a request has been made to BCCI by Cricket South Africa Director Graeme Smith so as to boost their financial crisis during COVID-19. Whether or not the T20I series will happen will depend on approval from the Indian Government apart from the logistics and operations as the proposed series is not part of FTP.
Another reason for the proposed series is to make up for the loss made by Star India. The host broadcasters of the BCCI has suffered a lot in terms of no live matches in the country over the last three months with the South Africa tour to India being called off without a match being played. The first ODI in Dharamsala was called off due to rain.
Star India, who has recently signed with CSA for its media rights portfolio were supposed to telecast the matches during India tour to South Africa in August. But due to the cancellation of the tour due to COVID-19, both CSA and Star had to incur huge losses. It goes to be seen if the BCCI gives the nod for the proposed T20I series in UAE.