The Indian cricketers will be traveling to South Africa later this month despite the threat of a new COVID-19 variant named Omicron as the BCCI is convinced that the bio-bubble being created by the CSA will be safe and secure for the Indians. If given clearance by the government, the tour comprises three Tests, three ODIs, and four T20Is and is scheduled to start on December 26 at Johannesburg.
As per the quotes in BCCI, one of the BCCI officials informed, “We are going to South Africa and that’s confirmed.” It is understood that the stamp of approval will be given by the general body during Saturday’s BCCI AGM as India’s FTP tour will be discussed during the meeting. Team India will be leaving a bit late rather than the scheduled departure immediately after the home series against New Zealand.
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BCCI secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that the Indian team’s tour of South Africa will go ahead, but only the three Tests and three ODIs will be taking place as the four T20Is will be played later. As per the quotes in ANI, he said, “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.”
Informing the same, one of the sources of PTI said, “The information we received is that the bio-bubble created by CSA is safe and secured. Also, there hasn’t been a lot of data available as of now as to how severe and detrimental it could be. Also, we have not received any communication from the government on not going ahead with the tour. The team will enter the bubble shortly and travel by charter flight. Even if there is a delay, it will be a bubble to bubble transfer and hence no hard quarantine will be required.”
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However, the issue that BCCI will have to deal with is what happens to the squad on their return from South Africa. The Indian government has defined SOPs for passengers returning from the Rainbow Nation. Ajinkya Rahane’s poor run of form which saw him getting dropped from the Test XI against New Zealand in Mumbai also puts his vice-captaincy in doubt.
