IND vs SA 2021: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has finally spoken about the uncertainties surrounding India’s tour to South Africa, amidst the outbreak of Omicron variant of COVID-19.
India’s A team is presently in South Africa for the three-match unofficial match series, and it is being reported that the series, of which one match has been completed, is likely to go on as per the schedule.
The Indian cricket team is scheduled to reach South Africa on 8th December for:
IND vs SA: Three Test matches
IND vs SA: Three ODIs
IND vs SA: Four T20Is.
But, the outbreak of new omicron variant of the corona virus has created huge doubts and questions around the much-awaited tour.
BCCI’s treasurer Mr. Arun Dhumal, while speaking to the media about IND vs SA 2021 tour, said that the board is in constant touch with Cricket South Africa (CSA) and monitoring the omicron situation very closely. Dhumal also added that nothing is more important than the health and safety of the cricketers.
“We are in constant touch with Cricket South Africa, while continuously monitoring the situation over there. Health and safety of the cricketers are paramount and we will act accordingly,” BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal told The Sunday Express.
Mr. Dhumal also said that Health Ministry’s directive will be the final authority on this decision and whatever advisory they get from the ministry, the BCCI will follow that.
“Health Ministry’s directive is supreme. If we get any advisory in this regard, we will certainly follow that,” Dhumal said.
However, before Mr. Dhumal gave his statement, Times of India quoted an unnamed source saying:
“Look, till we get a detailed picture of the ground situation from Cricket South Africa (CSA), we will not be able to tell our next step. As per the current plan, the Indian team is supposed to leave either on December 8 or 9 just after the New Zealand series gets over in Mumbai.”
“Initially, there was no provision for hard quarantine but obviously the players will remain in a bio-bubble. Now with cases rising in South Africa and the European Union also cancelling flights temporarily, we need to factor in these aspects,” TOI’s source in the BCCI added.
