South Africa to tour India for multi-format women's tour in June-July

Harmanpreet Kaur-led India are set to for a stiff challenge as they host South Africa in a multi-format series later this year. The Proteas will play one Test, three ODIs and as many T20Is in Bengaluru and Chennai.

The white-ball leg, beginning with three ODIs from June 16, is scheduled to be held in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, the one-off Test match is set to be played in Chennai, starting June 28. The three T20Is will be played after the completion of the red-ball encounter, with a view to ensure continuity in formats ahead of the T20 World Cup, set to be held in Bangladesh in September-October. The ODIs will be played on June 16, 19 and 23, while the T20Is on July 5, 7 and 9.

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The six white-ball fixtures were part of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) women's FTP. Both series, along with a visit from New Zealand, were supposed to be played between July and September last year but had to be postponed due to the men's ODI World Cup and other logistical issues. The one-off Test wasn't part of the FTP. It was a delayed addition, as part of CSA (Cricket South Africa) and the BCCI's (Board of Control for Cricket in India) recent push to promote women's Test cricket.

India had played a couple of Test matches against England and Australia in December. Those two Tests came on the back of a monumental development aimed at taking the "first step towards tackling discrimination" with the BCCI announcing equal match fees for centrally contracted male and female cricketers.

Meanwhile, South Africa, played their first Test match after eight years in June 2022 against England. Their last four-day fixture was a lopsided loss to Australia by an innings and 284 runs in February in Perth.

The tour is also a significant step in the BCCI's wish to take women's cricket to newer centres. In the years gone by, the BCCI has preferred to host teams across different venues in Mumbai citing logistical reasons. However, they broke away from that norm with the Women's Premier League earlier this year, with Bengaluru and Delhi playing co-hosts.

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The three ODIs are part of the ICC Women's Championship, which will give direct qualification for 2025 WODI World Cup to top four teams. India will have a default direct qualification by virtue of being the hosts of the marquee event. South Africa are at the second spot on the points table and a solid performance will help them consolidate their position in the top four.