Following the finding of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that India will travel to South Africa for three Test matches and three one-day internationals. The four T20Is that were supposed to be part of India’s multi-format trip to the rainbow nation have been postponed and will be played later, according to Shah. Shah 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.”
The Indian team was supposed to go to South Africa right after the Test series against New Zealand ended in Mumbai, according to the original schedule. The first Test between Virat Kohli and his team was scheduled to begin on December 17 in Johannesburg. However, with a fresh schedule for the series due soon, it is unlikely that the original dates will be kept. The departure of the Indian cricket team to South Africa is likely to be postponed.
The series will be played in a tight bio-bubble, similar to the existing unofficial Test series between India A and South Africa A, which has gone through as planned despite the uncertainty surrounding South Africa’s announcement of the existence of the new strain in the country. The BCCI had been contacted by Indian captain Virat Kohli, who had requested clarification on the matter.