India tour of South Africa to commence on December 30, confirms CSA

The much awaited announcement in regard to the upcoming India tour of South Africa was made recently by the Cricket South Africa (CSA). CSA announced the commencement date of India’s full tour as December 30. The Indian team was earlier scheduled to play 4 Tests on the tour. However, due to time constraints, the tour has now been compressed to a three Test match series.

An additional ODI match has been stuffed in the itinerary to compensate for the lost Test match. Following the Test series, team India will play 6 ODIs against the hosts and then play 3 T20Is to cap off the long tour that ends on February 24. The Indian team will be playing a solitary warm up match on the tour in Paarl before the actual Test series gets underway.

The venues for the three Test matches have been shortlisted as Cape Town, Centurion, and Johannesburg. All the limited overs fixtures of the tour will be day-night matches except the first T20I and the second ODI. There is an additional treat for the cricket fans during the T20I series. The three T20Is will be doubleheaders with the men’s team and women’s team competing on the same day.

India’s tour of South Africa 2017/18 schedule

South Africa to host Indian Women, Australia

The India Women tour will commence on February 2. The ladies will be playing 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is on their tour. Currently, the packed summer for South Africa will kickstart with two Test matches against Bangladesh that commences on September 28. This will be followed by limited overs series as well.

Also, a proposed first ever four-day day-night Test against Zimbabwe is on the cards on the Boxing day if the ICC approves it. Following the India series, the Proteas will host Australia. Australia will start their tour with a warm up match on February 22. They will be playing 4 Test matches on the tour. The CSA Chief, Haroon Lorgat, expressed his excitement for the cricket action that is coming up this season.

“We are pleased to finally announce the complete schedule of international cricket starting tomorrow with the first Test match against Bangladesh. It is going to be a very busy home season with both India and Australia touring in the new year. This will be a big season for South Africa and a real treat for our fans,” he quoted as per the quotes in Cricbuzz.

“South Africa will also be involved with double header T20 International matches between South Africa and India. Featuring both our men’s and women’s teams on the same day is going to be a very special occasion and most fitting for the women’s game which is growing and attracting its own fans. This is now the time when none of us can wait for the action to start,” he mentioned.