Internet Desk: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has come forward in support of Cricket South Africa. It was reported in a section of the media that the India’s tour to South Africa will be curtailed following the unwillingness by the Indian cricket board to play the Boxing Day test match. According to a BCCI office bearer who did not want to be quoted said, “Yes, the tour to South Africa is very much on. And it will be full fledged series involving in 4 test matches, 5 ODI’s and 3 T20’s.”
He further added, “The Indian team will be flying out to South Africa on December 28, just after the Christmas. The first test match is likely to begin fromJanuary 03.”
The BCCI had maintained that it will not play the Boxing Day test match considering they have a packed international domestic schedule wherein Virat Kohli and his team play a total of 23 matches. The Men in Blue will play 3 test matches, 15 ODI’s and 5 T20’s.
Meanwhile, India is scheduled to host Sri Lanka for a three Tests, five ODIs and a T20 international in November and December. Prior to the series against Sri Lanka, BCCI will host Australia for 5 ODI’s and 3 T20’s. Immediately after the series against Australia, Team India will play 5 ODI’s and one T20’s against New Zealand.
It is also learnt that the BCCI wanted to have two practice matches before the start of the test series. But with the Sri Lanka series finishing on December 23, it might not be possible to play two warm up matches. The Indian cricketers will get one warm up matches before the actual test series begin.
The Indian team will also take part in Independence Cup, hosted by Sri Lanka Cricket Board. The Independence Cup will begin in mid-March and will involve countries like India, South Africa , Pakistan and hosts Sri Lanka.
According to Mr Ashley de Silva, the CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket, “The Sri Lanka tour to India has been brought forward from February next year because we are hosting the tri-nation Independence Cup in March. Sri Lanka was due to tour India from February end to the first week of April next year and the dates would have clashed with the Independence Cup. That’s why we requested the Indian board for a change to bring the tour forward and they have agreed. The dates for the Pakistan series and the Indian tour are currently being worked out.”
India are currently touring Sri Lanka to take part in a 3 match test series along with 5 ODI’s and one T20 on September 06.