Cricket South Africa (CSA) said on Saturday that the tour of India will go ahead as planned, minus the four T20Is, which will be rescheduled for next year.
As of now, India will play three Tests and as many ODIs on their tour of South Africa later this month. It also said that India's tour to the Rainbow nation will take place under its strictest COVID-19 guidelines, as contained in the BSE (Bio-Security Environment) protocols.
The tour was in serious doubt due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19 virus causing a surge in cases in South Africa. India were originally meant to arrive in South Africa on December 9, after the completion of the ongoing second Test against New Zealand in Mumbai.
But now, with the CSA saying that the arrival of the Indian team would be adjusted, it remains to be seen when they will touch down in South Africa.
"Cricket South Africa can confirm that the India Tour will continue as originally scheduled, with a few adjustment to the logistical arrangements, such as the arrival time of the India Team. Pursuant to a very cordial relationship between the Board of Cricket South Africa and the Board of Cricket Commission of India, the tour is now confirmed," said a statement by CSA.
"With the Proteas men's team having already participated in no less than eight international cricket BSEs (bubble safe environment), CSA is pleased to announce that this tour will also take place under the strictest Covid-19 guidelines, as contained in the BSE protocols. India will play three (3) One Day Internationals and three (3) Tests against the Proteas.
"However, the four (4) scheduled T20 Matches will be rescheduled in the new year, as part of the joint MoU," further said the statement.
CSA added that the venues for the tour will be announced in the next 48 hours. "CSA is also pleased to confirm that the allocation of match venues will still be in respect of the Bubble Safe Environment (BSEs) and therefore the decision on the allocations will take into account the need for safer playing environments. CSA has instituted these world class standards and measures to ensure that all players, staff and officials are protected within this environment. CSA's main focus is to safeguard the cricket biosphere by managing strict entry standards and limited movement outside of its cordon. CSA will confirm the venues in the next 48 hours."
Pholetsi Moseki, the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at CSA, said, "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.
"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."
On Thursday, Indian Test and ODI skipper Virat Kohli had said the team had expressed their concerns regarding the situation in South Africa and were expecting clarity from the board 'in the next 1-2 days'
"Well, look it's pretty natural, I mean, we are not playing in normal times anyway, so there is a lot of planning that's involved, there is a lot of preparation that is involved in terms of understanding exactly what's going to go on, there are players who are not part of the group right now, who will be entering quarantine to join the team in the bubble, to fly in a charter, those kinds of things, you want to seek clarity as soon as possible," Kohli had said.
He added that coach Rahul Dravid had started the process of speaking to the players and asking about their concerns.
"We have spoken to all the senior members of the squad, obviously Rahul bhai (Rahul Dravid) has initiated a conversation within the group, which is very important to know because at the end of the day, we understand, I mean our focus from the Test match will not shift regardless, but also know that you would want to have clarity and you want to be in a situation where you know exactly what's going on and we have been talking to the board and we are pretty confident within, you know a day or two or pretty soon, will have absolute clarity as to what is going on.
"...But we need to be realistic about things as well. We cannot you know, just ignore the things that potentially could put you in a confusing place and no one wants to be there, so I am sure everyone's working hard towards finding clarity and giving us the situation as it unfolds as soon as possible and we all are hopeful that will happen soon and as I said our prime focus right now is the second Test and the other things are simultaneously being taken care of," Kohli said during a virtual press conference ahead of the second Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium.
The India A team is currently playing a series in South Africa and the BCCI has not given any indication that it is planning to pull the team out of the tour.
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