India and South Africa plan for T20I series in end August

The Board of Control for Cricket in India and Cricket South Africa have planned for a three-match T20I series in end August set to be played at the latter’s home. The tour will go ahead provided the present Covid-19 situation improves and both the boards get a green signal from their respective governments.

The series, which is not part of the Future Tour Programme, was negotiated by Cricket South Africa director Graeme Smith and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly during a CSA executive trip to India back in February. However, the series is unlikely to go ahead as South Africa is preparing for a surge in coronavirus cases in September.

Cricket South Africa has predicted that they will suffer a huge loss of USD 36 million over the next four-year cycle. Thus, a series against India is expected to make up for the monetary losses the board will incur.

“India wants to honour its agreement. If it’s postponed, maybe a bit later,” Faul said during a virtual press conference on Thursday according to sport24.co.za. We’ve had a very good discussion with them (BCCI),” the CSA executive said.

On the other hand, a BCCI official has confirmed that the first aim is to get their players to a conditioning camp in green camps. Subsequently, the Indian board will need permission from the government to travel to South Africa for the T20I series. If all things fall in place, the BCCI is hopeful of a successful tour.

“First, we have to get the players for a conditioning camp in a green zone. Obviously, if things are on track, we would play in South Africa,” the official told PTI.

Meanwhile, if the situation doesn’t improve, CSA acting CEO Jacques Faul has confirmed that the Indian board has shown willingness to tour South Africa later in the summer. Faul also revealed that they have initiated the process to ask permission from their government.

South Africa had toured India back in March but the first ODI of the three-match series was abandoned due to rain at Dharamshala. Subsequently, as the coronavirus started to spread, the BCCI decided to call off the remaining two matches.